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Chelsea team news: Frank Lampard set to bring back game-changing duo vs Real Madrid
Chelsea will look to upset the odds against the Champions League holders, with their quarter-final first leg in Madrid set for Wednesday night.
Chelsea caretaker manager Frank Lampard reviews Wolves defeat
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard faces a baptism of fire in just his second match since returning to the club. A dismal defeat against Wolves last time out raised fresh fears around deep-rooted issues at Stamford Bridge, and the Blues now face a trip to the Bernabeu, where Real Madrid will attempt to continue the defence of their Champions League crown. Express Sport takes you through how Lampard is likely to set out his side, with Ben Chilwell and N'Golo Kante in line to return...
Goalkeeper: Kepa
Lampard ruthlessly replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga with Edouard Mendy during his first stint as Chelsea boss. The Spaniard was error-prone at the time, and the decision turned out to be a good one as Mendy went down a storm with supporters.
Things have changed, however, and Kepa is now the main man between the sticks. Despite their past, Lampard stuck with the 28-year-old against Wolves on Saturday and he is set to do so again in the Spanish capital.
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Defence: James, Fofana, Koulibaly, Chilwell
After a wave of defensive recruitment over the past two transfer windows, Lampard is now spoilt for choice at centre-back. Despite that, he ditched the three-back formation and returned to a back four against Wolves, with Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana both getting the nod.
That same duo could be given another chance against Los Blancos, with no space in Chelsea's Champions League squad for Benoit Badiashile, and Thiago Silva still out injured. Reece James is a shoo-in on the right, while Chilwell looks set to return on the opposite flank after starting on the bench, behind Marc Cucurella, at Molineux.
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Midfield: Kovacic, Fernandez, Kante
Enzo Fernandez has been steady but unspectacular since his British-record transfer in January. The World Cup winner is likely to anchor a midfield trio with Mateo Kovacic to his left, whose history with Real Madrid - where he spent three seasons - could make all the difference for Chelsea.
Kante was left out of the matchday squad altogether against Wolves as Lampard manages his return from a long-term hamstring problem, but the dynamic Frenchman is the favourite to replace Conor Gallagher and complete the Blues' midfield.
Attack: Sterling, Havertz, Felix
A lack of space in Chelsea's Champions League squad means that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Noni Madueke and David Datro Fofana are all set to miss out, while Armando Broja is still injured and Mason Mount is yet to fully recover from an abdominal issue.
Kai Havertz has faced criticism for his poor finishing this campaign but he arguably remains Lampard's best option through the middle. Joao Felix, on loan from Atletico Madrid, will have plenty of incentive to perform on the big stage against his parent club's bitter rivals, while Raheem Sterling has bags of Champions League experience with Manchester City.