Jorginho comes into the starting lineup in place of Mateo Kovacic while Christian Pulisic returns as Chelsea get set to take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Frank Lampard has made three changes to the side that started in the 2-1 win over Arsenal this past weekend as Chelsea prepare to lock horns with Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Kepa Arrizabalaga starts in goal once again, with Willy Caballero his deputy on the bench. In front of him, the shape of the team has taken a definitive change, with Lampard reverting to the 4-2-3-1. As a result, Fikayo Tomori has dropped out of the starting lineup, with Antonio Rudiger and Kurt Zouma partnering up at the heart of the Chelsea defence.
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Emerson Palmieri has been dropped, with Reece James taking his place in the side. James starts as the visitors’ right-back, with Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta deployed on the opposite flank. Up ahead in midfield, Mateo Kovacic drops down to the bench. Kovacic has made way for Jorginho, who has N’Golo Kante for company in the middle of the park.
The shift in formation has opened up an additional spot in attack, which is taken up by the fit-again Christian Pulisic. Pulisic starts on the left flank, with Willian deployed on the right wing once again. Mason Mount reprises the no. 10 role, with Tammy Abraham leading the line for Chelsea against Brighton.
Chelsea Starting XI: Kepa; James, Rudiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Kante, Jorginho; Willian, Mount, Pulisic; Abraham