Chelsea can start their 2021/22 campaign by lifting silverware. But they must first defeat Europa League winners Villarreal tonight in the UEFA Super Cup.
And despite several of his players not being 100% fit having returned late for pre-season after representing their countries in the European Championship and Copa America, Thomas Tuchel has still been able to name a strong starting XI.
It's no surprise that Edouard Medy is named in goal for the Blues. There is, however, a shock inclusion in the back three.
Trevoh Chalobah has impressed throughout pre-season and – even though football.london understands the Blues are ready to loan him out before the transfer window closes – he has been named as the right centre-back by the German coach.
Kurt Zouma, meanwhile, is expected to start in the middle of the back three while Antonio Rudiger is on the left of the defence.
Callum Hudson-Odoi starts for the Blues at right wing-back while the midfield consists of N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic. Marcos Alonso is in at left wing-back.
The front three is the same that started and impressed against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Hakim Ziyech is likely to operate on the right flank while Kai Havertz should play through the middle. Timo Werner is set to continue on the left of the Blues' front three.
Tuchel has a strong bench available to him with the likes of Mason Mount, Jorginho, Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham all on hand to change the game for Chelsea if required.
Chelsea: Mendy; Chalobah, Zouma, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Havertz, Werner
Chelsea substitutes: Kepa, James, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Silva, Emerson, Chilwell, Jorginho, Mount, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Abraham
