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Football London
Football London
Sport
Adam Newson

Confirmed Chelsea side vs Man City – Gilmour and Alonso start as Thomas Tuchel makes big changes

Thomas Tuchel has made five changes to his Chelsea side for this afternoon's Premier League clash against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

The game is a dress rehearsal for the Champions League final but also has plenty at stake. A win for Manchester City would clinch the Premier League title while Tuchel's side need the three points to stay in control of the top-four race.

Edouard Mendy remains in goal and will be hoping to continue his excellent form since Tuchel's appointment – the Senegal international has kept 13 clean sheets in 18 matches under the German.

Thiago Silva doesn't feature, no great surprise given the 36-year-old has started the last three games, so the defensive trio consists of Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.

Reece James returns at right wing-back. On the opposite flank is Marcos Alonso, who steps into the side for Ben Chilwell.

There's no rest for N'Golo Kante. The Frenchman produced an outstanding display against Real Madrid on Wednesday and Chelsea will need the 30-year-old to again be at his best at the Etihad.

His midfield partner is Billy Gilmour. The young Scot started last week's 2-0 victory over Fulham and will be hoping to produce big performance against one of the Premier League's best.

Hakim Ziyech starts on the right of the Blues attack. The Moroccon international scored against City at Wembley when the two sides met in the FA Cup semi-final last month.

Christian Pulisic will start on the left. The American star was unfortunate not to start in the midweek win over Real Madrid and will be looking to prove a point to Tuchel once again.

And through the middle will be Timo Werner, who will be hoping to build on the big goal he struck against Los Blancos.

Somewhere surprisingly, there is no Thiago Silva, Mason Mount Ben Chilwell in the squad. Young full-back Tino Livramneto is included, however.

Confirmed Chelsea side: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; James, Kante, Gilmour, Alonso; Ziyech, Werner, Pulisic

Chelsea substitutes: Kepa, Emerson, Livramento, Zouma, Jorginho, Havertz, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham, Giroud

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