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Jonty Colman & Oliver Harbord

Kai Havertz returns but no Timo Werner - The Chelsea team Frank Lampard should pick vs Rennes

Chelsea are back in Champions League action tomorrow night when they take on Rennes in France.

The Blues are in an excellent position in their Champions League group with seven points from their opening three matches.

And Frank Lampard's side have the chance to qualify for the last 16 tomorrow if results go their way, and the only result Lampard will want is three points.

But there will be some debate over the team he should pick, with a massive Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

Here are the teams our football.london writers believe Lampard should select for the Tuesday night match.

Oliver Harbord

Chelsea can qualify for the last 16 tomorrow evening and that is a huge incentive for the Blues, but they also have the chance to rest a few ahead of a huge match with Spurs on Sunday.

Mason Mount and Timo Werner are two players who have played so regularly for the Blues, so they should be put on the bench for the game.

Lampard should go for his number one back four again to get the partnership going once again, while N'Golo Kante protecting the defence should be the way to go.

Mateo Kovacic has been impressive in his games after coming back into the team, and should get the chance to continue that.

Harbord's team: Mendy; James, Zouma, Thiago Silva, Chilwell; Kovacic, Kante, Havertz; Ziyech, Abraham, Hudson-Odoi.

Jonty Colman

Chelsea have been without the option of selecting Kai Havertz in recent matches after he tested positive for coronavirus. With Havertz back in contention, some fresh energy could be needed in order to seal a place in the knockout rounds and help to rest players ahead of facing Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Jorginho’s calmness and vision from deep will come in handy in a game where Rennes will have to push for victory to stand a real chance of progression. Similarly to the win at Newcastle United on Saturday, the ability to pick off opponents at the right moments may prove to be the decisive factor between winning or not.

A return for Jorginho could allow Mason Mount a rest following a very busy period for the young midfielder who featured heavily for England in the last international break.

It could also be a good chance to rest Reece James and Kurt Zouma, bringing back the ex-Ligue 1 duo of Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta, whose expertise against such opposition can hardly be matched by the rest of the Blues’ squad.

Colman's team: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Chilwell; Kante, Jorginho; Ziyech, Havertz, Werner; Abraham.

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