The make-up of Frank Lampard’s starting eleven against Everton on Saturday is unlikely to have been changed by the midweek Champions League draw with FK Krasnodar, despite an impressive performance by midfielder Billy Gilmour.
The 19-year-old Scot was the standout performer as the fringe players got the chance to impress in Chelsea’s final group game this season.
But he is unlikely to stay in the side, which has looked increasingly settled in recent weeks – in all areas bar the front three.
And the main reason for the changes in attack has been the injuries, which will once again see Lampard deprived of the considerable talents of Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
That double blow is softened by the fact that Christian Pulisic should be fit to take his place on the wing, although there are ongoing concerns about his own hamstring issues.
Timo Werner will occupy the other wide role and Olivier Giroud’s sensational form means he will take his place leading the line ahead of Tammy Abraham.
The first-choice defence of Edouard Mendy, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva look certain to be recalled and no one seems remotely close to shifting the midfield three of N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic.
Predicted Chelsea line-up:
Mendy
James
Chilwell
Silva
Zouma
Kante
Mount
Kovacic
Pulisic
Werner
Giroud