Following the win at Goodison Park last weekend, Thomas Tuchel will be aiming for his first big home win of the season as the Blues return to Premier League action at Stamford Bridge.
For the first home test of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake era, it cannot get more feisty than an encounter with Tottenham Hotspur, who come into this game full of confidence after a rampant 4-1 win over Southampton on the opening day.
Chelsea starting lineup:
Mendy | Koulibaly, Silva, James | Cucurella, Jorginho (c), Kanté, Loftus-Cheek | Sterling, Havertz, Mount
Substitutes from: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Chilwell, Chalobah, Gallagher, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Pulisic, Broja
Tottenham Hotspur starting lineup:
Lloris (c) | Davies, Dier, Romero | Sessegnon, Højbjerg, Bentancur, Royal | Son, Kane, Kulusevski
Substitutes from: Forster, Tanganga, Sanchez, Doherty, Perišić, Bissouma, Bryan, Lucas, Richarlison
Date / Time: Sunday, 16.30 BST; 11:30am EDT; 9pm IST
Venue: Stamford Bridge, SW6
Referee: Anthony Taylor (on pitch); Mike Dean (VAR)
On TV: Sky Sports Main Event (UK); USA Network, Telemundo (USA); Star Sports Select HD2 (India); Super Sport Premier League (NGA); elsewhere
Streaming: Sky Go (UK); NBC Sports, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA); Hotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)
It’s a big pat on the back for Ryan Sessegnon after his goal against the Saints because Conte might have been tempted to put Ivan Perisic in as a big game player and someone who has played for him before. The Croatian however is still building up his fitness and sharpness after a bad calf injury in the final game of last season and throwing him into his full debut at Stamford Bridge in the heat, in every sense, of a London derby would have been a big ask.
The bench has got the fans talking with Conte picking a well balanced set of substitutes with Japhet Tanganga replacing the injured Clement Lenglet and Richarlison coming in for Djed Spence.
This is their first full pre-season with Conte and I’ve spoken with a couple of the players and it’s been a bit of an eye opener, but they feel stronger than ever. I wouldn’t like to say they could go for the title just yet, but they’ll certainly go close and I’d be amazed if they don’t get a trophy.
They are in the best shape they’ve been in for an awfully long time. That’s credit to Conte and also to chairman Daniel Levy for giving him what he wants.