Mateo Kovacic returns and dons the armband for Chelsea as they get set to play hosts to Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in a crucial Premier League fixture.
Graham Potter has made three changes to the side that went down to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend as Chelsea prepare to welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge. There are no shuffles between the sticks, with Kepa Arrizabalaga retaining his spot.
But Potter has changed the system, and it looks like Chelsea will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The back three features Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Benoit Badiashile. Thiago Silva misses out due to an injury he sustained last weekend. Meanwhile, Reece James is also unavailable.
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So Ruben Loftus-Cheek starts as the right wing-back, with Ben Chilwell featuring on the opposite flank. Mateo Kovacic is back after recovering from an illness. And the Croat dons the armband for Chelsea this weekend. Kovacic lines up alongside Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park.
The change of formation means one attacker had to drop out, and that player is Hakim Ziyech. So Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix will have free roles behind the central striker. Finally, Kai Havertz spearheads the Chelsea attack against Leeds United this weekend.
Chelsea Starting Lineup: Kepa, Wesley Fofana, Koulibaly, Badiashile, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Enzo Fernandez, Chilwell, Felix, Sterling, Havertz
