Chelsea have shifted systems and handed Ruben Loftus-Cheek a place in the line-up as they attempt a Champions League quarter-final comeback against Real Madrid.
Romelu Lukaku was sidelined for Saturday’s 6-0 thrashing of Southampton in the Premier League due to an Achilles issue and has not travelled to Spain for this evening’s second-leg clash at the Bernabeu.
However, Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta makes the bench after he missed the St Mary’s thumping due to Covid-19.
“Romelu will not travel with us due to his pain in the Achilles,” said Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel on Monday. “Azpi is in the group. He has tested negative several times.”
Lukaku missed several good chances when he came off the bench in the first leg and it is unlikely he would have started in Madrid, but his absence is still a blow for Chelsea.
Chelsea travel to Madrid looking to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit following defeat at Stamford Bridge last week, which has prompted Tuchel into a re-think.
Timo Werner scored twice in the rout of Southampton and despite his coach warning that the meeting with Real will be a different challenge, the German has kept his place ahead of Christian Pulisic.
Callum Hudson-Odoi remains sideined with an Achilles problem, while Ross Barkley has been ruled out due to illness.
Chelsea XI: Mendy; James, Silva, Rudiger, Alonso; Loftus-Cheek, Kante, Kovacic; Mount, Havertz, Werner.
Subs: Kepa, Bettinelli, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Sarr, Chalobah, Jorginho, Saul, Ziyech, Pulisic, Vale.
