Chelsea could qualify with a win against Rennes in the Champions League on Tuesday, but Frank Lampard will surely have Sunday’s big game against Tottenham Hotspur in mind.
The five substitution rule in the Champions League will be a big help for Lampard, who will have freedom to rest more players if needed.
Lampard has brought just 20 men to France, with Christian Pulisic and Billy Gilmour the only first-team players left out of the squad.
Thiago Silva, who didn’t participate in Saturday’s win over Newcastle United, will likely start at the back.
Lampard has heavily relied on Kurt Zouma this season and, while he might need a rest, it might also be a bit too risky to lose the France international’s aerial presence.
Reece James, on the other hand, is more likely to be rested, with Cesar Azpilicueta as the obvious replacement.
Kante and James to be rested
Kai Havertz is back in the squad after his Covid-19 isolation period, although it remains unclear if he is fully fit to start.
N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic have been really solid in midfield for the last couple of games.
However. Lampard could opt to use Jorginho at the base of the midfield three, similar to the last time they faced Rennes earlier this month.
Pulisic’s absence means Timo Werner will likely operate on the left once again, with Hakim Ziyech on the opposite side of the pitch, although Callum Hudson-Odoi could also be an option.
But Tammy Abraham, who is on red-hot form with three goals and two assists in his last five games for the Blues, is likely to keep his place in the starting XI.
Predicted line-up: 4-3-3
Mendy
Azpilicueta – Silva – Zouma – Chilwell
Jorginho
Kovacic – Mount
Ziyech – Abraham – Werner
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