CHELSEA are getting their Premier League campaign underway at Frank Lampard’s Everton.
The Toffees beat Chelsea when they last played at Goodison Park in May, before managing to escape relegation under Lampard’s guidance.
But the Blues will be back with a vengeance, and with new signings Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella in tow.
- Start time: 5.30pm BST
- TV/Live stream: Sky Sports PL/Football
- Everton XI: Pickford, Patterson, Mina, Godfrey, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Doucoure, Iwobi, Gordon, McNeil, Gray
- Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpillicueta, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly, James, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell, Mount, Havertz, Sterling
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Atmosphere builds around the ground
There is nothing like that first day of the season feeling.
All is well, you are unbeaten in the campaign.
Time to party and enjoy the football.
Credit: Reuters Chelsea subs:
1. Arrizabalaga, 32. Cucurella, 14. Chalobah, 23. Gallagher, 8. Kovacic, 12. Loftus-Cheek, 10. Pulisic, 22. Ziyech, 18. Broja
Chelsea starting XI:
Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling make their Premier League debuts for Chelsea today.
Meanwhile, Edouard Mendy is preferred in goal ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
16. Mendy, 28. Azpilicueta, 6. Thiago Silva, 26. Koulibaly, 24. James, 7. Kante, 5. Jorginho, 21. Chilwell, 19. Mount, 29. Havertz, 17. Sterling
Credit: @ChelseaFC
Everton subs:
15. Begovic, 4. Holgate, 5. Keane, 6. Allan, 20. Alli, 25. Gbamin, 29. Vinagre, 51. Warrington, 56. Mills
Everton starting XI:
Frank Lampard has to reshuffle his side due to injuries today.
1. Pickford, 3. Patterson, 2. Tarkowski, 13. Mina, 22. Godfrey, 19. Mykolenko, 11. Gray, 16. Doucoure, 17. Iwobi, 7. McNeil, 10. Gordon.
Credit: @Everton Curse of the Goodison treatment room
Everton have a number of players out currently and it is questionable as to whether the physio department could put out a stronger side than Frank Lampard currently.
The ex-Chelsea midfielder will feel his squad needs some strengthening in numerous areas.
Up front being the main concern with many wondering where the goals will come from this season.
Sun’s out, guns out…..
With the sun beating down today, even Everton fans must see a bright future for the season ahead.
While Richarlison’s sale was seen as good business, without replacing him, The Toffees could struggle this season.
The first game of the season offers hope for every football club as the new seasons dawns.
Credit: Rex Qatar question rears its head early on
The Chelsea head coach was asked about the early start to the season and the effect the World Cup will have on this season:
You feel it. The players are very focused on the World Cup already which is a good thing because they come in shape and take care of themselves, but it’s also a bad thing because they are also focused on World Cup and not just here. We will see how it influences the players and their performances in October.
Thomas Tuchel
Everton with no striking threat
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin injured for some time and Salomon Rondon suspended for today’s fixture, Everton are extremely light up front.
Lampard may have to play Demarai Gray through the middle with support from Dwight McNeil and Anthony Gordon.
The sale of Richarlison to Tottenham seems to be already hitting Everton hard with no replacement brought in during the window.
Tuchel unsure of who is number one
Kepa Arrizabalaga was rumoured to be leaving Stamford Bridge but talk is now that he will remain at the club.
Tuchel is also expected to start him against The Toffees today.
This leaves Edouard Mendy out of favour and wondering what the season holds for him.
Welcome to Everton vs Chelsea
Chelsea travel to Goodison Park today to kick-off their 2022/23 Premier League campaign against a side managed by ex-Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard whose first year in management with The Toffees almost ending in relegation last season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will miss the next six weeks after picking up a ‘freak’ knee injury in training on Tuesday, the striker only made 15 Premier League starts last season due to injury and the new season has begun in the same vein.
Seamus Coleman is out while Salomon Rondon is suspended following his red card against Brentford last season.
Having sold Richarlison to Tottenham during the summer, they have no one to lead the attack against Chelsea today.
Tom Davies, Andre Gomes and Andros Townsend are still unavailable but Allan could be back in the centre of midfield despite his recent fitness issues.
Yerry Mina is fit and could start in a back three with new signing James Tarkowski alongside him.
For Chelsea. There is likely to be a debut at the back for Koulibaly, while Sterling could play in the front three with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz.
Timo Werner is a fitness doubt with a hamstring issue, with speculation about his future also rife, he is not expected to be considered for a start today.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
