The Blues open the campaign away at Everton in what is set to be our penultimate league visit to Goodison Park ahead of the Toffees’ move to Bramley-Moor Dock in 2024/25.

Ben Chilwell makes his first start since late November following a long-term knee injury, while Cesar Azpilicueta also features in defence just days after signing a new two-year contract at the club. The Spaniard is expected to captain the side from the right of a back three alongside Thiago Silva and one of our debutants, Koulibaly.

Sterling is the other new boy starting and he joins Kai Havertz and Mason Mount in attack. N’Golo Kante partners Jorginho in central midfield, while Reece James and Chilwell are the wing-backs and Edouard Mendy starts in goal.

Marc Cucurella, who completed his move from Brighton & Hove Albion yesterday, is on the bench and could make his first Chelsea appearance as one of our permitted five substitutes following the introduction of new rules, as could Conor Gallagher.

Frank Lampard includes summer signing Dwight McNeil in his team and hands a first Premier League appearance to defender Nathan Patterson, who is expected to start on the right in a wing-back system.

Chelsea (3-4-3) Mendy; Azpilicueta (c), Thiago Silva, Koulibaly; James, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz, Sterling

Subs Kepa, Cucurella, Chalobah, Gallagher, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Ziyech, Broja

Everton Pickford (c); Patterson, Tarkowski, Mina, Godfrey, Mykolenko, Iwobi, Doucoure, Gray, Gordon, McNeil

Subs Begovic, Holgate, Keane, Allan, Gbamin, Mills, Vinagre, Warrington, Alli

The referee is Craig Pawson