Thomas Tuchel has made two changes to his Chelsea side for this evening's Premier League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford, with Reece James and Antonio Rudiger both returning to the starting XI after their respective hamstring and groin injuries.
The Blues head into tonight's clash off the back of a 1-0 victory over West Ham United on Sunday. Tuchel's side were far from their best against the Hammers – a 90th-minute winner from Christian Pulisic was required – and will have to improve despite the recent struggles of United under Ralf Rangnick.
The Chelsea head coach has gone with the majority of the players that started at the weekend's win. Edouard Mendy maintains his place in goal and the back three consists of Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and Rudiger, who has opted to leave the club at the end of his contract in the summer.
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James has struggled with injury for much of 2022 and was absent against the Irons due to concerns over his hamstrings, but after coming through the past two training sessions, the 22-year-old returns and is expected to be deployed at right wing-back. On the opposite flank is Marcos Alonso, with the Spaniard still deputising for the injured Ben Chilwell.
N'Golo Kante continues in midfield and with Mateo Kovacic ruled out with an ankle ligament injury, Jorginho is once again chosen to partner the Frenchman. The Italian missed a late penalty against the Hammers and it will be intriguing as to whether he takes a spot-kick this evening if Chelsea are awarded one.
Mason Mount starts once more and will be looking to continue his fine form away from Stamford Bridge. Timo Werner is also included in the starting XI again and Kai Havertz has been given the responsibility of leading the Chelsea attack ahead of Romelu Lukaku, who is back at Old Trafford for the first time since leaving United in the summer of 2019.
Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Kante, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount; Havertz, Werner
Chelsea substitutes: Kepa, Chalobah, Sarr, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Kenedy, Pulisic, Ziyech, Lukaku
