After a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Arsenal last weekend, Chelsea are being thrust straight back into action as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest at home to the Carabao Cup.
With a busy September coming up, Antonio Conte will be forced to rotate his squad, but the Italian has already confirmed that senior players will feature against the Championship side.
Chelsea travel to Stoke on Saturday, so Conte will have one eye on that game when deciding his team.
Here is how we think the Blues will start.
GK – Willy Caballero
Conte started Thibaut Courtois in goal against Qarabag, a sign of how seriously he is taking the competition, but expect to see Willy Caballero named in goal against Forest.
RWB – Davide Zappacosta
After his dream debut against Qarabag, Zappacosta will be desperate to show he was not a ‘one-game wonder’ and make an impression against Forest.
CB – Antonio Rudiger
Rudiger can consider himself unlucky to have not seen more minutes this season. He’ll get his chance to impress on Wednesday night, which will also give Conte an opportunity to rest Cesar Azpilicueta.
CB – Gary Cahill
Despite not enjoying his best game against Arsenal, as club captain, he keeps his place in the side.
CB – Andreas Christensen
The young Danish defender is going to need to step up to the mark in David Luiz’s absence over the coming week so getting him up to speed and settled in the first-team squad will be vital.
LWB – Kenedy
Kenedy was kept at the club over the summer as the Blues needed him for squad depth, and he’ll come in to give Marcos Alonso a well-earned rest.
CM – Cesc Fabregas
Fabregas was outmuscled and outperformed in midfield on Sunday against Arsenal, but could still feature against the Championship side, which may be a hint that he won’t start against Stoke in the Premier League.
CM – Tiemoue Bakayoko
After coming on at half-time on Sunday, Bakayoko could feature from the start in as he builds himself up to full fitness.
RW – Charly Musonda
Many thought that Conte was going to give the youngster a chance against Qarabag in the Champions League, but he could make his first start for the Blues on Wednesday.
LW – Eden Hazard
Antonio Conte has already confirmed that the Belgian will start on Wednesday as the club look to get him back to full fitness.
ST – Michy Batshuayi
Alvaro Morata will be rested after starting against Arsenal on Sunday. The game will be a good chance for Batshuayi to show what he can do and get some more minutes under his belt.
