Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Robert Warlow

Confirmed Chelsea team to face Southampton: N'Golo Kante and Callum Hudson-Odoi start for Blues

Callum Hudson-Odoi has been handed his first Premier League start of the season after being named in the team to face Southampton this afternoon (Sunday)

The teenager has been named in the starting line-up for the game at St Mary's, having made a positive impact off the bench against Lille in midweek.

Meanwhile, N'Golo Kante has also been named in the Chelsea starting line-up.

The Frenchman has struggled with injuries this season, but he got through 90 minutes in the Champions League during the week, and Lampard has again included the key man in his starting line-up this afternoon, having admitted that he would have to make a judgement on his availability.

"That’s something we will have to watch over the next 24 or 48 hours to make sure he is still on a semi-recovery as they all are from the trip to Lille and the game," Lampard said at his pre-match press conference.

"The fact he hasn’t played much obviously. In terms of the injury, he is fine. There is no fall out from that from the game. It is just making sure he is fit and ready and that’s a call for myself."

Southampton v Chelsea: Frank Lampard press conference

And Lampard has made that call, with the Frenchman named in his starting line-up to face the Saints, ahead of the international break.

Kante once again lines up alongside Jorginho in the centre of midfield for the Blues, while Reece James is handed his first start in the Premier League, after his Champions League bow against Lille in midweek.

Fikayo Tomori, Kurt Zouma and Cesar Azpilicueta continue in defence, with James and Marcos Alonso as wing-backs for the Blues.

Meanwhile, Tammy Abraham continues up front after scoring his first goal in the Champions League in midweek, taking his tally to eight for the season in all competitions.

Chelsea : Arrizabalaga, Alonso, Tomori, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Willian, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham.

Subs: Caballero, Christensen, James, Kovacic, Barkley, Pulisic, Batshuayi.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.