Chelsea are without ten players as they host Preston in the FA Cup this evening..
Benoit Badiashile remains sidelined having missed the trip to Luton last weekend and is still in a "reconditioning phase".
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Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Lesley Ugochukwu and Romeo Lavia also miss the match at Stamford Bridge this evening.
Thiago Silva is rested from the backline ahead of Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie away at Middlesbrough and the visit of west London rivals Fulham in the Premier League next weekend.
Ian Maatsen is on the bench despite ongoing talks with Borussia Dortmund over a potential transfer, while Alfie Gilchrist starts and gets his chance to impress after being promoted from the academy.
Djordje Petrovic continues as goalkeeper with Sanchez injured and Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill complete the defence.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, fit despite an ongoing hernia problem, start in midfield, with Conor Gallagher on the bench as speculation over his future continues.
In-form Cole Palmer starts as expected, while Armando Broja replaces Nicolas Jackson, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Raheem Sterling is recalled to the starting lineup and completes the front three with Mykhailo Mudryk. Christopher Nkunku misses out on the squad.
Starting XI: Petrovic; Gilchrist, Disasi, Colwill, Gusto; Fernandez, Caicedo; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Broja.
Subs: Bergstrom, Bettinelli, Silva, Maatsen, Williams, Gallagher, Golding, Madueke, Washington
Time and date: 5:30pm GMT on Saturday January 6, 2024
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
TV channel: BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website
