3-4-2-1: Chelsea lineup vs Dinamo Zagreb as Kante and Thiago Silva are not included

Chelsea will be without N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva for the Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb, but Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria could make their debuts.

If Aubameyang survives the final training session at the Stadion Maksimir arena, he will play with a custom-fitted mask.

The mask was made over the weekend in Italy, and Thomas Tuchel believes it is successfully protecting Aubameyang’s injured jaw, which he sustained in an armed robbery in Barcelona prior to his £12 million transfer.
Zakaria is back in action after receiving his work permit, which was not ready in time for the weekend game against West Ham.

Chelsea lineup vs Dinamo Zagreb (3-4-2-1)

GK: Edouard Mendy – Tuchel has backed Mendy despite a tricky run of form, making it tough for the boss to drop him in favour of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

CB: Wesley Fofana – A solid debut from the Frenchman, who will be looking forward to his first taste of Champions League action.

CB: Kalidou Koulibaly – With Thiago Silva not travelling, Koulibaly will need to be the experienced head at the back for Chelsea.

CB: Marc Cucurella – Cucurella has had a solid start to life at Chelsea but now may need to prepare for a return to centre-back to make room for the West Ham match winner.

RM: Reece James – Fresh off signing a new contract to become the highest-earning defender in Chelsea’s history, James will expect to start here.

CM: Mateo Kovacic – Tuchel is a big fan of Kovacic, who was nominated to face the press on Monday evening. That’s usually a sign a player will start.

CM: Jorginho – With N’Golo Kante still out, Tuchel may opt to preserve the legs of like-for-like replacement Conor Gallagher, although new signing Denis Zakaria will hope for some minutes as well.

LM: Ben Chilwell – Faced with the task of competing with Cucurella, Chilwell rose to the occasion against West Ham with a goal and an assist off the bench. He deserved a start.

AM: Mason Mount – Mount is soon expected to follow James in signing a bumper new contract. Owner Todd Boehly is an enormous fan.

AM: Raheem Sterling – Sterling is just one goal away from taking his Champions League tally to 25.

ST: Armando Broja – The youngster, who penned his own six-year contract earlier this week, made a big impact against West Ham and deserves the chance to show what he’s got from the start. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has travelled and could come off the bench.