Chelsea's wait to resume their 2019/20 Premier League campaign is almost over, as Frank Lampard's side face Aston Villa at Villa Park this afternoon, kick-off 4:15pm.
The Blues will be aiming to hit the ground running after more than three months without kicking a ball due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lampard has named his starting line-up for the tussle in the Midlands and it has certainly raised eyebrows, with the Blues boss naming the likes of Olivier Giroud and Willian in his starting line-up, whilst Billy Gilmour, Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic have been forced to settle for places on the bench.
But whilst Chelsea's supporters have been left surprised by Lampard's first team selection ahead of the restart, they have been left delighted by his decision to include Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the starting line-up.
The Blues academy graduate, who racked up a total of 40 appearances in all competitions under Maurizio Sarri last season, features for the first time since the final day of last season, after he suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury, which has seen him undergo several months of hard work and rehabilitation.
Now, though, the former Crystal Palace loanee has been thrown straight into the deep end, as he starts this afternoon's clash at Villa Park, lining up in a midfield three alongside Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante.
And judging by the reaction of the Blues' supporters on social media, it is safe to say that Lampard's decision to field Loftus-Cheek from the off has gone down a storm.
Here is what some of Chelsea's fans have had to say on Twitter in response to the news...
You can keep right up to date will of the very latest goings on at Villa Park by following it all on our live blog, which you can access by clicking here.
