In the first of two games against Udinese in as many days to conclude our schedule of pre-season friendlies, Thomas Tuchel has named a competitive looking side to take the field at the Dacia Arena.

Having come off the bench in the final game of our US tour against Arsenal, Kalidou Koulibaly is in the starting XI in a Chelsea shirt for the first time since joining from Napoli, on his return to Italy. He looks set to form a back three alongside Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta, who captains the side, in front of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Reece James and Marcos Alonso are on the flanks, with Jorginho joined in midfield by N'Golo Kante, who makes his first appearance for Tuchel during this pre-season after missing the trip to America.

Summer signing Raheem Sterling is also involved from the start, likely to form a front three with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz.

Tonight's game can be viewed live and free in selected countries, including the UK, on the official Chelsea website and The 5th Stand app.

The provisional squad numbers being worn by the players in Italy are for pre-season only and not confirmed for the 2022/23 campaign.

Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta (c), Thiago Silva, Koulibaly; James, Kante, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount, Havertz, Sterling

Substitutes: Kepa, Emerson, Kenedy, Gilmour, Hudson-Odoi, Vale

Udinese: Silvestri, Benkovic, Bijol, Masina, Soppy, Pereyra, Walace, Makengo, Udogie, Success, Deulofeu

Substitutes: Padelli, Piana, Festy, Lovric, Abankwah, Nuytinck, Perez, Palumbo, Ebosse, Samardzic, Nesterovski, Pussetto, Guessand, Cocetta, Pafundi

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