Chelsea have not been able to bring in any new players this summer due to a transfer ban meaning they enter the new season with almost the same set of players who featured last campaign.
And new manager Frank Lampard will take this squad to Old Trafford this Sunday to take on Manchester United in the first match of the 2019-20 Premier League season.
This is sure to be an even contest but many pundits believe that Solskjaer might find it really hard to figure out what the new Blues boss is planning will, in turn, will act as a leverage for the London outfit in helping them secure their first win of the new season.
Chelsea news vs Man Utd: Injuries and suspensions
Chelsea did manage to bring in Christian Pulisic who joined the club last season from BVB but was immediately loaned back to the Bundesliga club.
The new arrival is hopefully be deployed down the left flank which was previously occupied by Eden Hazard who joined Real Madrid this summer.
Pedro will hopefully play down the right-wing and Tammy Abraham will play as the centre-forward.
N’Golo Kante is recovering from an injury right now and Lampard has revealed that the club are trying hard to make the midfielder fit for the opener vs Man United.
Last weekend, the Blues boss said: “Who knows if he’ll be ready for next week, but we’ll work hard for that. We also have to be a bit careful as he’s played so many games over the past three seasons. We don’t want to rush him back.”
Ruben Loftus Cheek is out with a calf injury and will only be back towards the start of November this year.
“Probably he will be training with the group in five months, then he needs to be able to play at 100 per cent. I don’t know exactly the timing but 4-6 months.”
Antonio Rudiger is also recovering from his knee surgery which means Christensen will play in central defence alongside David Luiz.
Jorginho’s future was in doubt when Maurizio Sarri chose to head back to Italy this summer but recent statements from Frank Lampard have indicated that the former Napoli man will play a key role in midfield for the Blues.
Talented youngster Callum Hudson Odoi ruptured his Achilles Tendon and the forward will be out for a significant amount of time meaning Willian is the only backup to Pedro down the right flank.
UPDATE:
David Luiz will be joining London rivals Arsenal which means that Kurt Zouma will play in central defence alongside Christensen.
Chelsea news: Blues’ predicted line up
Starting XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Kurt Zouma, Marcos Alonso; Jorginho, Barkley, Kante; Pedro, Abraham, Pulisic.