Cole Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City at the end of the summer transfer window, makes his first Chelsea start at Stamford Bridge this evening, after coming off the bench in our last three matches.

Elsewhere, Ben Chilwell returns to the team as captain. Defenders Levi Colwill and Axel Disasi retain their places in the starting line-up, as does goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, while his fellow Spaniard Marc Cucurella also joins our defence.

Conor Gallagher makes way for Lesley Ugochukwu in midfield, where he will partner Moises Caicedo. Ian Maatsen is the fifth player introduced by Pochettino for tonight's game, while Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk both continue in attack.

Among the substitutes, youngsters Deivid Washington, Josh Brooking, Alfie Gilchrist and Alex Matos could all make their senior debuts if they come on against Brighton.

Brighton have made eight changes to the team which beat Bournemouth 3-1 last time out, with former Chelsea Academy full-back Tariq Lamptey one of the players coming into their side tonight, while fellow former Blues youngster Billy Gilmour drops to the bench.

Chelsea: Sanchez, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella, Chilwell (c), Ugochukwu, Caicedo, Mudryk, Palmer, Maatsen, Jackson

Substitutes: Petrovic, Brooking, Gilchrist, Enzo, Gallagher, Matos, Sterling, Broja, Washington

Brighton: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan, Dahoud, Baleba, Buonanotte, Mitoma, Fati, Joao Pedro

Substitutes: Steele, Dunk, Veltman, Gilmour, Hinshelwood, Adingra, Lallana, March, Welbeck

Referee: Tom Bramall