Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has said he sees Wednesday’s home Carabao Cup tie at Stamford Bridge as an important match to help his side get much-needed early season and to give one or two players a chance to prove their worth.
Callum Hudson-Odoi will get a chance and Lampard has challenged the England winger to show his undoubted talent and force his way into the side.
Defensive duo Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell are both set to make their debuts.
The Brazilian has not been deemed ready to start following his recent move and England left-back Chilwell has only just returned to fitness after injury.
Hudson-Odoi’s fellow England internationals Tammy Abraham, who scored 18 goals for the Blues last season, defender Fikayo Tomori, and midfielders Ross Barkley and Ruben-Loftus-Cheek, should also get the chance to impress.
German international attacking midfielder Kai Havertz may also start as he looks to build up match sharpness following his close-season move.
Willy Caballero will replace Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal, but the Argentine keeper was always in line to start ahead of the much-maligned Spaniard in the League Cup
Possible line-up
Willy Caballero
Cesar Azpilicueta
Fikayo Tomori
Thiago Silva
Ben Chilwell
Matteo Kovacic
Ross Barkley
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Kai Havertz
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Tammy Abraham