Thomas Tuchel has made four changes to his Chelsea side for this afternoon's Premier League clash against Brentford at Stamford Bridge, which will be played after a group of supporters protested against the Ricketts family's bid to purchase the club from Roman Abramovich.
With the takeover process still ongoing, Tuchel and his players have to focus on the only thing they can truly control: what happens on the pitch. And to that end, the German coach has named an attacking side for the visit of the Bees this afternoon.
In goal is Edouard Mendy and it appears as though the Senegal international will play behind a back four. Cesar Azpilicueta is expected to keep his spot at right-back with the irrepressible Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger as the two centre-backs. Marcos Alonso has been named ahead of Malang Sarr at left-back.
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Ruben Loftus-Cheek, after producing an eye-catching performance in the FA Cup win over Middlesbrough prior to the international break, keeps his spot in midfield as the number six. On either side of the England international are Mason Mount and N'Golo Kante. Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic are among the substitutes.
Tuchel faced a tricky decision as to who led his attack given Romelu Lukaku wasn't in action over the international break, but he has opted to go with Kai Havertz as the number nine. He will be supported by Timo Werner, who should line-up on the left, and Hakim Ziyech, who will be on the opposite flank.
Reece James and Andreas Christensen are both back in the squad but neither start. Christian Pulisic, meanwhile, is also on the substitutes' bench but may not be risked given he did not undertake training yesterday having only returned from international duty late on Thursday.
Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger, Sarr; Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Kante; Ziyech, Havertz, Werner
Chelsea substitutes: Kepa, James, Christensen, Sarr, Jorginho, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Lukaku
