ROMELU LUKAKU could start for Chelsea in the Uefa Super Cup on Wednesday – if he is registered by 11pm tomorrow.
The Blues have named their 26-man squad for the clash against Villarreal.
But they have until 11pm on Tuesday to make any amendments – meaning Lukaku could make his debut at Windsor Park in Belfast this week.
Chelsea are closing in on a club-record £97.5million transfer to bring the Belgian forward back to Stamford Bridge.
And despite a lack of training with his new team-mates, he could be thrown straight into the starting XI against the Europa League winners.
Lukaku could be supported by Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz in attack in Northern Ireland.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Marcos Alonso are expected to begin as the wing-backs with Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park.
A back three of Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger may well protect Chelsea’s No1 choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
However, Thomas Tuchel could opt for a very different line-up.
Euros stars Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Mason Mount and Jorginho are back in training and this might be a perfect chance to get in extra minutes ahead of the Premier League season.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen could come in with Kante staying put in midfield.
A different front three may see Mount and Christian Pulisic either side of Timo Werner.
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Ethan Ampadu, Tammy Abraham, Tino Anjorin and Armando Broja are also in the 26 – although the latter looks poised for a loan move to Southampton.
And that could open up a space in the squad for Lukaku should the transfer from Inter Milan get done in time.
The Villarreal clash is the Champions League winners’ final friendly before the new campaign gets underway at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
