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Chelsea team news: Early selection hint as three missing from squad for Man City clash
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is without just three senior players for the Blues' meeting with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge tonight (8.15pm).
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Chelsea are looking to make it back-to-back wins following the Premier League restart when they host Manchester City this evening. The Blues came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 last weekend, with Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud both on target.
This fightback ensured Chelsea picked up where they left off before the coronavirus lockdown, having beaten Everton 4-0 back in March.
The triumph over Villa has seen the Blues cement their hold on fourth spot in the table, although Manchester United's victory against Sheffield United yesterday keeps the pressure on.
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Frank Lampard's men are just two points clear of the Red Devils and Wolves but can stretch that gap to five with a win tonight.
But the west London club will have their work cut out with reigning champions City in fine form, having followed up their 3-0 win over Arsenal with a 5-0 hammering of Burnley last time out.
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Chelsea have an almost fully-fit squad to choose from with just three players left out of today's matchday squad, according to Football.London.
Fikayo Tomori is still a week away from full fitness, having picked up an ankle knock.
Meanwhile, Callum Hudson-Odoi is sidelined with a similar problem while Marco van Ginkel continues to work his way back to full fitness after a serious knee injury.
However, the Blues do have Jorginho available after the Italian midfielder served the final game of his two-match suspension against Villa.
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The 28-year-old was slapped with a ban after picking up 10 yellow cards throughout the Premier League campaign but should feature here.
Jorginho's return adds to Lampard's selection dilemma in midfield, with Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Billy Gilmour, Ross Barkley and Mason Mount all available.
They have all been included in the matchday squad, as have Pedro and Willian after the pair signed short-term contract extensions earlier this week.
It remains to be seen how much Lampard will utilise the duo, although he praised their professionalism in his pre-match press conference.
"Negotiations were relatively easy because both sides wanted the same thing," he said.
"It was hard for me to comment too much before it was announced yesterday but I always felt confident that they would remain.
"The two players wanted to make sure they could see the season out with us and at this point we need them in the squad because they’re both important players for us so I’m happy.
"They’ve been fantastic professionals for the club and servants in all senses and when you have that level of professionalism within you it was a sign that they wanted to stay and see out this season at least.
"We’ll carry on talking and see but I think everybody’s focus now is on these next games for the individuals themselves and obviously us as a club."
Full Chelsea squad: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero; Cesar Azpilicueta, Reece James, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma, Marcos Alonso, Emerson Palmieri; Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley, Billy Gilmour, Mason Mount; Willian, Pedro, Christian Pulisic; Tammy Abraham, Olivier Giroud, Michy Bastshuayi, Faustino Anjorin
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