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Football London
Football London
Sport
Adam Newson

Confirmed Chelsea team vs West Ham – Ruben Loftus-Cheek starts, Joao Felix makes return

Graham Potter has made three changes to his Chelsea side for this afternoon's Premier League clash against West Ham United at the London Stadium – the most notable of which is the return of Joao Felix to the starting XI after the Portuguese forward served a three-match suspension.

Chelsea need to secure victory at the London Stadium in order to keep their slim hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four alive. And Potter has decided to name five of the Blues' January signings in his starting XI.

With Edouard Mendy still sidelined after undergoing surgery on a fractured finger last month, Kepa Arrizabalaga keeps his place in the starting XI. The Spaniard will be protected by a back four of Reece James, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile and Marc Cucurella.

READ MORE: Thiago Silva signs new one-year Chelsea contract to extend Blues stay until 2024

Enzo Fernandez, who made his debut against Fulham last week, keeps his place in the Chelsea midfield and is set to be partnered in a double six by Ruben Loftus-Cheek. It is the academy graduate's first appearance since he suffered a calf injury against Newcastle United in November.

Noni Madueke is included in the side and will make his full Chelsea debut at the London Stadium. Felix is set to occupy the number ten role with Mykhailo Mudryk keeping his place on the left of the frontline despite an illness-impacted outing against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

Kai Havertz will lead the attack once more and there will be pressure on the German to deliver a big performance with David Datro Fofana performing well off the bench last time out

Chelsea: Kepa; James, SIlva, Badiashile, Cucurella; Enzo, Loftus-Cheek; Madueke, Felix, Mudryk; Havertz

Chelsea substitutes: Bettinelli, Azpilicueta, Chilwell, Chalobah, Chukwuemeka, Gallagher, Mount, Ziyech, Fofana

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