FRANK LAMPARD is set to hand Chelsea Premier League debuts to Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell as the Blues travel to West Brom tomorrow afternoon.
Chelsea have been on an impressive spending spree this summer, but Lampard, 42, hasn’t yet been able to field all of his new recruits.
How Chelsea could line up against West Brom
Thiago Silva made his first Chelsea outing against Barnsley in the League CupCredit: AFP or licensors
But while he confirmed that Hakim Ziyech remains unavailable with a knee injury, the Blues were bolstered by Silva and Chilwell’s inclusions against Barnsley in the mid-week EFL Cup clash.
And Lampard has confirmed that both are fit enough to start as Chelsea look to get back on track in the Premier League after their humbling defeat to Liverpool last weekend.
One new boy that won’t feature, however, is £22million recruit from Rennes Edouard Mendy – with Lampard confirming that the 28-year-old isn’t ready yet after a hectic week.
But with Kepa Arrizabalaga in a crisis of form and confidence, Willy Caballero is likely to be handed the gloves – as he was for the 6-0 win over Barnsley.
Reece James appears to have usurped Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back, and the Spaniard’s experience could be saved for the mid-week League Cup derby at Tottenham instead.
Silva, 36, will be best suited to partnering Kurt Zouma, given the Frenchman’s height.
And fans will hope that Chilwell will hit the ground running – although Lampard hinted that he may be cautious given the ex-Leicester star’s previous injury.
This could potentially open the door to Marcos Alonso.
Another option for Frank Lampard
Jorginho has been linked with Arsenal this week and may sit this one out, with a Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Ross Barkley midfield trio given the nod.
Mason Mount and Kai Havertz will then be given license to wreak havoc, with the latter having notched a superb hat-trick against the Tykes.
Timo Werner will hope to also get off the mark – particularly with deputies Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham waiting in the wings – having both scored in mid-week.
Kai Havertz netted a hat-trick against BarnsleyCredit: AFP or licensors
Chelsea confirm Edouard Mendy transfer from Rennes for £22m
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
