Predicted Chelsea XI: PAOK (A)
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Chelsea get their Europa League campaign underway on Thursday night with an away game against Greek side PAOK.
The Europa League is the first real hurdle that Maurizio Sarri will have to deal with at Chelsea and how he copes with the intense fixture list.
Chelsea certainly have the squad depth for the Italian to utilise, but will he make wholesale changes against PAOK?
Here the XI that we think may start in Greece.
GK - Willy Caballero
Willy Caballero looks set to get his chance between the sticks in the Europa League.
The group stages are a good chance for Sarri to rest summer signing Kepa and give some minutes to the experienced Argentinian.
RB - Davide Zappacosta
Zappacosta has been unable to dislodge Azpilicueta at right-back this season but gets the chance to impress in the Europa League.
The Italian has suffered as a result of the change in the system that has seen Azpilicueta shift across from centre-back.
CB - Gary Cahill
Many have tipped Cahill to leave the club over the summer, but he remained at Stamford Bridge and could be a key figure in tricky away games like this.
He’s found game time hard to come by, but he can take a claim with Sarri still insisting the Blues need to improve at the back.
CB - Ethan Ampadu
It’s a choice between Andreas Christensen and Ethan Ampadu for Sarri.
The Welshman has impressed when given the chance and Chelsea appear to see his future further down the pitch, rather in midfield.
He looks ready for the first-team and Europa League minutes could go a long way in his development.
LB - Emerson
Emerson was a player who looked really positive in pre-season under Sarri, but he’s been unfortunate that Marcos Alonso has been in equally impressive form so far this season.
The Italian international gets a chance to show what he can do at Chelsea as he looks to put last season behind him.
CM - Jorginho
While Sarri looks likely to ring the changes against PAOK, Jorginho could keep his place in the side for added familiarity.
The Italian is the lynchpin in the current Chelsea side and he could help those around him who have not been regulars in the team.
With Cesc Fabregas ruled out and Danny Drinkwater out of favour, the former Napoli man could be the best fit for the role on Thursday.
CM - Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Chelsea fans will be hoping that Loftus-Cheek is fit enough to start in Europe.
The midfielder missed the game against Cardiff with a knock but Sarri has hinted he could feature on Thursday night.
He’s found minutes hard to come by since returning from his loan spell at Crystal Palace, but he’s a player Sarri rates and wants to give a chance to.
CM - Ross Barkley
An injury to Mateo Kovacic has gifted Ross Barkley a chance to make a mark in the first-team squad.
He impressed during pre-season but the signing of the Croatian meant minutes have been hard to come by in recent weeks.
Barkley is another looking to put last season behind him and impress the new Chelsea head coach.
RW - Willian
Fresh off the back of scoring a brilliant goal against Cardiff, Willian comes back into the starting XI.
The Brazilian is likely to be one of Chelsea’s biggest threats in the attack in what could be a much-changed front three for the Blues.
LW - Pedro
Pedro keeps his place in the side after impressing against Cardiff over the weekend.
The experience of the Spaniard also allows Sarri the chance to give some rest to Eden Hazard.
ST - Alvaro Morata
Morata may well have to settle for the Europa League this season as he appears to have fallen by Olivier Giroud in the pecking order.
The Frenchman started in the Premier League, meaning Morata will get his chance on Thursday.
He needs to get back to scoring ways if he wants to win his place in the team back.