The team news for the Chelsea team to face PAOK in their first Europa League Clash tonight has just been announced and new manage Maurizio Sarri finds no place for English star Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the starting line-up.
The 22-year-old Loftus-Cheek has yet to start for Chelsea so far this season and unfortunately doesn’t find his opportunity tonight. He has just completed just 33 minutes of football in the five available Premier League games in the 2018/19 season. He managed more in England’s exceptional World Cup campaign this summer in Russia.
Sarri has otherwise chosen a strong midfield with summer signing Jorginho, World Cup winner and overall superstar N’Golo Kante, and former Everton player Ross Barkley lining up in the middle.
Alvaro Morata is brought in from the cold after being left out for their weekend Premier League 4-1 win over newly-promoted side Cardiff City.
Eden Hazard has been left back in London after requesting leave citing tiredness. The Belgian has been in scintillating form so far this season, topping the EPL goalscorers list with five so far this campaiogn. It will interesting to see how Chelsea perform without their star man.
Chelsea XI to face PAOK: Kepa Arrizabalaga / Davide Zappacosta / Andreas Christensen / Antonio Rudiger / Marcos Alonso / Jorginho / N’Golo Kante/ Ross Barkley / Willian / Pedro / Alvaro Morata
Substitutes: Willy Caballero / Gary Cahill / Cesar Azpilicueta / Cesc Fabregas / Ruben Loftus-Cheek / Victor Moses / Olivier Giroud
PAOK Thessaloniki FC versus Chelsea kicks off at 17:55 (GMT) at the Toumbama Stadium.
You can follow the match live with The Sportsman using the link provided below.
