Head coach Thomas Tuchel has a number of factors to consider when selecting his Chelsea starting lineup for Sunday's Premier League fixture against Watford.

With third position having been effectively secured with a 1-1 draw with Leicester City earlier this week, Tuchel can approach the game with sentiment and resting over-used players as his priority.

Antonio Rudiger should start ahead of a switch to Real Madrid, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are in line to play at a time when speculation persists regarding potential transfers to Barcelona.

Second-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is another who may be selected for similar reasons, but it remains to be seen whether Andreas Christensen will be provided with the same level of respect after his recent late withdrawals from the squad.

If Thiago Silva is rested, Rudiger could move into the centre of the back three to accommodate Malang Sarr, while Saul Niguez may replace N'Golo Kante in midfield before returning to parent club Atletico Madrid.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be preferred to Jorginho, with Mateo Kovacic expected to be given another game off to rest his badly swollen ankle.

Further forward, Hakim Ziyech could retain his spot in the final third, with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz getting the nod over Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku respectively.

Tuchel is unlikely to risk Timo Werner's hamstring injury, while Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi are already pencilled in to make early returns for pre-season training after their respective knee and Achilles injuries.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Sarr; James, Saul, Loftus-Cheek, Alonso; Ziyech, Mount; Havertz