As reported earlier in the day following training at Cobham, Ross Barkley and N’Golo Kante were not involved in our final session before departure so the midfield duo unsurprisingly remain at home. The England international limped off before half-time against Newcastle on Saturday with an ankle problem, while Kante sustained a groin injury on international duty.

Also missing were Andreas Christensen, who boss Frank Lampard has said will be out for a couple of weeks, and long-term absentee Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Everyone else on our Champions A list featured, including Antonio Rudiger, although this game comes too soon for German and he has not travelled.

The Blues have a win and a defeat from our opening two matches in Group H, with goals from Tammy Abraham and Willian securing victory last time out in France against Lille. Ajax are on six points after two wins and now face Lampard’s side twice in 14 days at a crucial period in the group stage.

Lampard and one of his players, Fikayo Tomori, will speak to the media in a press conference at the Johan Cruyff Arena at 5.15pm (UK) this evening, which you can watch live on the 5th Stand app.

Travelling party in full:

Kepa ArrizabalagaMarcos AlonsoJorginhoTammy AbrahamWillianWilly CaballeroKurt ZoumaMateo KovacicOlivier GiroudMason MountCallum Hudson-OdoiChristian PulisicMichy BatshuayiReece JamesCesar AzpilicuetaFikayo TomoriJamie CummingEmerson PalmieriBilly Gilmour