Diego Costa has returned to the starting lineup only a week after rampant speculation around his Chelsea future surfaced, as the Blues host Hull City at Stamford Bridge.
Willian drops to the bench in Costa’s stead, with Pedro and Eden Hazard starting alongside in the Chelsea attack, as Antonio Conte starts with his most preferred eleven. Nathan Ake, who was recalled from his loan spell at Bournemouth earlier this month makes the matchday squad.
For visitors Hull City, new signings Omar Elabdellaoui and Evandra slot straight into the starting XI, while Oumar Niasse makes the bench as Marco Silva looks to continue on last week’s surprise win over Bournemouth.
Team to face Hull: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro, Diego Costa, Hazard. #CHEHUL
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 22, 2017
Today’s subs: Begovic, Ake, Zouma, Chalobah, Fabregas, Willian, Batshuayi.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 22, 2017
Congratulations to @diegocosta, who will today make his 100th appearance for Chelsea! ? pic.twitter.com/lU298ZBxto
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 22, 2017
?◾️ | Here’s the @HullCity team to face @ChelseaFC in today’s @PremierLeague fixture at Stamford Bridge #CHEHUL pic.twitter.com/NdHSHZnfHX
— Hull City (@HullCity) January 22, 2017
?◾️ | New signings Evandro & Omar Elabdellaoui make their full @HullCity debuts whilst Robert Snodgrass misses out through injury #CHEHUL
— Hull City (@HullCity) January 22, 2017