Chelsea face Tottenham in their second pre-season friendly under Xabi Alonso at Accor Stadium on Saturday, with the head coach expected to field a stronger starting XI than the one that began the 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Alonso set to ring the changes
Alonso named a side featuring just four first-team players for the Blues' pre-season opener, a topsy-turvy win over Western Sydney. He left the majority of his stars on the bench but made a raft of changes with 25 minutes left, introducing Robert Sanchez, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Cole Palmer, Marco Palestra, Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro.
Alonso will be keen to beat Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham as he looks to win over fans in his second match in charge, and may be tempted to name a stronger side from the off.
Likely starting lineup and fitness doubts
Robert Sanchez may replace Teddy Sharman-Lowe in goal, with Levi Colwill also stepping into the starting line-up to build fitness at centre-back. Summer signing Marco Palestra will hope to make his first start, though Landon Emenalo could keep his spot at left-back after impressing Alonso.
Reggie Watson captured the hearts of the Chelsea faithful with his performance against Western Sydney and could get another chance, while Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli was similarly impressive off the bench and could get the nod.
Alonso has confirmed Romeo Lavia is fit after missing the Western Sydney match with hamstring discomfort, though he is not expected to risk the player given his long-standing fitness problems.
Up top, Dastan Satpayev will hope to keep his place on the left flank as Cole Palmer gets set to come in on the right. Reggie Walsh will keep his place in the No10 role, with Liam Delap making way for Joao Pedro up front.
Unavailable players
Maxence Lacroix will not be available despite Chelsea confirming his transfer from Crystal Palace on Thursday. Morgan Rogers also misses out as he remains on his post-World Cup holidays. It remains to be seen whether Jorrel Hato or Mamadou Sarr will be fit after they missed the Western Sydney match, while Filip Jorgensen has flown home to complete a transfer.
Confirmed team news
Chelsea XI: Sharman-Lowe, Palestra, Colwill, Fofana, Hato, Essugo, Lavia, Estevao, Palmer, Gittens, Joao Pedro
Subs: Curd, Subuloye, Tosin, Sarr, Anselmino, Emenalo, Acheampong, Walsh, Watson, Nicoll-Jazuli, Satpayev, Kellyman, Kavuma-McQueen, Delap
Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Gray, van Hecke, Davies, Robertson, Bergvall, Tonali, Solomon, Gallagher, Tel, Solanke
Subs: Dubravka, Danso, Richarlison, Takai, Donley, Scarlett, Moore, Tyrese Hall, Russell-Denny, Melia, Kyerematen, Yang, Ajayi, Hardy, Williams-Barnett
Doubts: Hato, Sarr
Unavailable: Jorgensen
How to watch: CFC+, SPURSPLAY
Time and date: 10.45am BST on Saturday, August 1
Venue: Accor Stadium
