Summer signings Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling both start for Chelsea this afternoon as the Blues begin their 2022/23 Premier League campaign against Everton.
Goodison Park hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Chelsea in recent years; their last victory came all the way back in 2017 under Antonio Conte. It's on Tuchel and his players to end that particular poor record and collect three points from their opening game of the season.
And Tuchel has picked a strong side. Edouard Mendy may not have produced his best form in 2022 but there is no doubt the Senegal international is Chelsea's number one goalkeeper and he starts between the posts at Goodison.
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The back three is as expected and packed full of experience: Cesar Azpilicueta starts on the right, Thiago Silva is in the centre, and Koulibaly is on the left. Combined the trio have played 1,887 club games.
Reece James starts at right wing-back and Ben Chilwell – having recovered over the summer from a knee ligament injury – occupies the spot on the opposite flank ahead of Marc Cucurella That is somewhat of a surprise, however, given Tuchel's comments ahead of the game: "He is very ambitious and he couldn’t wait to come back to team training.
"He looks better and better but at the same time, it looks like he needs more time to adapt to the physicality of the match itself, which is absolutely normal. It is not only about training and training exercises, little pitches. It is a very demanding level. We have to take care of him, it’s our responsibility."
N'Golo Kante, despite only playing one pre-season game with the senior team, starts in central midfield and is partnered by Jorginho. Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher are among the substitutes.
Mason Mount is included in the frontline and is expected to line up on the left of the front three. Kai Havertz may be deployed from the right with Sterling through the middle. The trio combined well in Chelsea's final pre-season friendly of the summer.
Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz, Sterling
Chelsea substitutes: Kepa, Cucurella, Chalobah, Gallagher, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Ziyech, Broja
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