Chelsea FC XI vs Brighton: Starting lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest - Romelu Lukaku starts

Chelsea have made four changes to their team for tonight’s Premier League meeting with Brighton.

Romelu Lukaku leads Thomas Tuchel’s attack at Stamford Bridge after his heroics off the bench at Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Mateo Kovacic also starts, with N’Golo Kante fit enough for the bench after a knee injury sustained at Villa Park.

Thiago Silva misses out with a hamstring injury, with Andreas Christensen his replacement as captain Cesar Azpilicueta also takes over from Trevoh Chalobah.

Kai Havertz is on the bench after illness, with Marcos Alonso also among the substitutes with potentially Christian Pulisic operating as a left wing-back.

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Havertz has not featured since the 3-2 win over Leeds on December 11, with some of the intervening period spent in isolation.

Ben Chilwell is likely to miss the rest of the season after the club confirmed he will undergo knee surgery.

Chelsea starting XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Kovacic, Jorginho, Hudson-Odoi, Mount, Pulisic, Lukaku

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Alonso, Kante, Chalobah, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Havertz, Sarr

Date and kick-off time: 7.30pm GMT, Wednesday 29 December, 2021.

TV channel: Amazon Prime