Chelsea will be without the services of Hakim Ziyech for Saturday's Premier League opener with Crystal Palace, as the attacker suffered a shoulder problem during the UEFA Super Cup against Villarreal.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel used Jorginho, Mason Mount, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta off the bench on Wednesday, and all four players could now come into the starting XI.

Thiago Silva might remain on the bench for the European Cup winners, while Ben Chilwell and Reece James could also be among the substitutes against Palace.

As a result, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Marcos Alonso could continue as the two wing-backs, with Jorginho joining N'Golo Kante in the middle of the park.

Ziyech's absence will open the door for Mount to join Timo Werner and Kai Havertz in the final third of the field, leaving Christian Pulisic on the bench.

Romelu Lukaku has now been confirmed as a Chelsea player, but the Belgium international is in quarantine, so could instead debut against Arsenal on August 22.

There are not expected to be any serious surprises in the home side's XI at Stamford Bridge, and Tuchel is unlikely to move away from a 3-4-3 formation, but Kurt Zouma, Mateo Kovacic and Trevor Chalobah are likely to drop out from the starting team on Wednesday evening.

Tuchel said during Friday's press conference that there was a small issue with Kante, but the Frenchman is expected to be cleared to play.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Kante, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount, Werner, Havertz

Written by
Matt Law