Romelu Lukaku is back for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge tonight.
Lukaku was dropped for the 2-2 draw with Liverpool following an unsanctioned and controversial interview criticising the club, but Thomas Tuchel said he would train with the group on Tuesday.
Lukaku stats tonight’s game.
Tuchel’s injury woes have deepened with the loss of Trevoh Chalobah, who will miss the game after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury against Liverpool, while Andreas Christensen is a doubt with a niggling back problem.
Wing-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell remain sidelined but Timo Werner trained on Monday as he continues to recover from Covid-19, and is expected to be on the bench against Antonio Conte’s side.
Tuchel hast recalled cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has proved the hero in two shootouts en route to the semi-finals, while Malang Sarr gets a a rare start in the back three.
Jorginho, Saul Niguez, and Hakim Ziyech all get opportunities to impress.
Chelsea starting XI (3-4-3): Starting XI: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Sarr, Alonso, Mount, Jorginho, Niguez, Havertz, Ziyech, Lukaku
Subs: Bettinelli, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Pulisic, Werner, Hudson-Odoi, Vale, Hall
When: Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Kick-off at 7.45pm GMT.
Where: Stamford Bridge, London
TV channel: Sky Sports
