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Football London
Football London
Sport
Adam Newson

Confirmed Chelsea team vs FC Salzburg – Silva and Cucurella return as Potter picks first side

Graham Potter has brought Thiago Silva back into the Chelsea starting XI for tonight's Champions League group-stage clash against FC Salzburg, which is the English coach's first match in charge of the Blues.

Potter was appointed Thomas Tuchel's replacement last Thursday and has spent the past five days working with his new players at Cobham.

There is no change between the posts for Chelsea, although that was a decision taken out of the hands of Potter. Edouard Mendy is ruled out with a knee injury, and that means Kepa Arrizabalaga continues in goal. It's the Spaniard's first start in the Champions League since last season's group-stage outing in Zenit St. Petersburg.

READ MORE Graham Potter's Chelsea Premier League squad 2022/23 confirmed with two slots to be filled

Potter has made two changes to the defence that started the defeat to Dinamo Zagreb last week. Reece James is expected to start at right-back with Cesar Azpilicueta moved into the centre-back. Silva replaces Wesley Fofana, and Kalidou Koulibaly steps out for Marc Cucurella, who worked with Potter at Brighton and may be deployed at left-back.

In midfield, there is a three of Mason Mount, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic. The front three, meanwhile, consists of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling.

Chelsea: Kepa; James, Azpilicueta, Silva, Cucurella; Mount, Jorginho, Kovacic; Havertz, Aubameyang, Sterling

Chelsea substitutes: Bettinelli; Chalobah, Chilwell, Fofana, Koulibaly; Zakaria, Galalgher, Chukwuemeka, Loftus-Cheek; Pulisic, Broja, Ziyech

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