Antonio Conte has made eight changes from the side that started in the midweek Carabao Cup clash as they face Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.
Chelsea have made as many as eight changes to the lineup from the midweek game against Nottingham Forest. But, the main news is that Eden Hazard is still not fit enough to make the starting lineup, according to Antonio Conte at least.
Here’s the Chelsea team today… #STKCHE pic.twitter.com/DbHwKZpUYl
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 23, 2017
? #SCFC starting XI v @ChelseaFC: Butland; Johnson, Martins Indi, Pieters; Diouf, Fletcher, Allen, Ramadan; Shaqiri, Choupo-Moting; Jese. pic.twitter.com/hgSONCvMyt
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) September 23, 2017
Cesar Azpilicueta will lead the Chelsea side out, with Gary Cahill only good enough to make the bench. The lineup looks like Conte has decided to ditch the three-man backline for this game, with only four natural defenders named.