Thiago Silva is back and captaining Chelsea as one of three changes by Frank Lampard to his team to face Real Madrid in tonight’s big Champions League game.
Real Madrid vs Chelsea line-ups
Chelsea look set to start with a back three at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, with Thiago Silva returning to the action alongside Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly in defence, ahead of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Brazilian wears the captain’s armband as he makes his first appearance in six weeks, having been out since going off with an injury at Tottenham.
On the flanks, Marc Cucurella makes way for Ben Chilwell on the left and Reece James continues on the right. In the middle, N’Golo Kante comes back in for Conor Gallagher to make just his second start since August – and his first appearance in this season’s Champions League full stop. He will be alongside Enzo Fernandez and Mateo Kovacic, forming the same midfield trio that began the Premier League draw with Liverpool just over a week ago.
The change in shape means there is no room for Kai Havertz in our attack, but Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling both retain their places from the weekend’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Real Madrid rested several players as they were beaten by Villarreal in the league over the weekend, but former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has reverted to a team similar to the one which beat Liverpool in their last Champions League match.
There are two changes from that side, as David Alaba and Rodrygo both return. Former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is in their starting line-up, with Antonio Rudiger and Eden Hazard both among the substitutes.
Chelsea: Kepa, W Fofana, Thiago Silva (c), Koulibaly, James, Kante, Enzo, Kovacic, Chilwell, Sterling, Joao Felix
Substitutes: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Cucurella, Gallagher, Loftus-Cheek, Zakaria, Mount, Mudryk, Pulisic, Ziyech, Havertz
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Valverde, Modric, Camavinga, Kroos, Rodrygo, Benzema (c), Vinicius
Substitutes: Lunin, Lopez, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Rudiger, Ceballos, Tchouameni, Vazquez, Hazard, Asensio, Diaz
Referee: Francois Letexier (France)