The Blues are up against the Seagulls at Lincoln Financial Filed in Philadelphia, with Pochettino bringing in the experience of Kepa, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell while handing a first pre-season start to Christopher Nkunku.

There are seven changes to the side that beat Wrexham 5-0 on Wednesday night, with Malo Gusto, Andrey Santos, Ian Maatsen and Carney Chukwuemeka the quartet keeping their starting spot.

It appears to be a 4-2-3-1 formation once again, with Chukwuemeka operating behind Nkunku, who scored in Chapel Hill against Wrexham. Maatsen keeps his place following his brace from left-wing.

Reece James and Noni Madueke are not in the squad.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Gusto, Thiago Silva (c), Colwill, Chilwell; Santos, Gallagher; Sterling, Chukwuemeka, Maatsen; Nkunku

Subs: Cumming, Bergstrom, Chalobah, Humphreys, Gilchrist, Cucurella, Hall, Casadei, Enzo, Moreira, Angelo, Mudryk, Jackson, Burstow

Brighton: Steele; Gross (c), Van Hecke, Webster, March; Gilmour, Dahoud, Hinshelwood, Lallana; Mitoma; Welbeck

Subs: Verbruggen, Joao Pedro, Alzate, Enciso, Undav, Adingra, Ayari, Ferguson, Veltman, Weir, Samuels, Peupion, Baker-Boaitey

The referee is Rob Jones.