Chelsea defender Pep Chavarria has been left out of the matchday squad against Everton after picking up an injury.
The left-back had started three of the Blues’ four matches in all competitions, but has been replaced by Jorrel Hato in the starting lineup for Saturday’s game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“He picked up a little problem yesterday,” Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso told TNT Sports ahead of kickoff.
“We are not certain yet of the situation because it was late yesterday. Jorrel is fit, he’s played there, so just that change.”
Reece James also misses out after undergoing knee surgery this week, which is expected to keep him sidelined for three months. Alonso has gone with Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson in midfield again, as he did for last weekend’s 5-1 win over Bournemouth.
“It makes it more limited but we have enough options,” the Basque native said. “With Romeo [Lavia], with [Valentin] Barco, they have played and now we have Mo [Caicedo] back and [Jordan] Hendo so we have more options. But for sure it’s a blow for everyone that we will miss Reece for the next weeks.”
Meanwhile, David Moyes has made just two changes to the Everton side that drew 2-2 with Hull City. Vitalii Mykolenko replaces Michael Keane following his return from injury, while Merlin Rohl comes in for Brennan Johnson.
Everton vs Chelsea starting lineups:
Everton XI: Pickford, Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Garner, Armstrong, Rohl, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Barry.
Subs: Travers, O’Brien, George, Dibling, Johnson, Norgaard, Alcaraz, Hackney, Graham.
Chelsea XI: Martinez, Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill, Neto, Henderson, Caicedo, Hato, Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro.
Subs: Penders, Palestra, Fofana, Barco, Welbeck, Quenda, Nicoll-Jazuli, Estevao, Lavia.
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