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Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea return to Premier League action after the international break in the best possible position they can hope for. They are three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and now face 12th-placed Leicester City.
Chelsea defeated Leicester when the two sides last met in the Premier League at the tail end of last season after losing to them in the FA Cup final.
Chelsea set to welcome back players from injury for Premier League clash
Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku has been pictured in training for the first time since picking up an ankle injury in a 4-0 win over Malmo in the UEFA Champions League. Timo Werner also returned to full training after picking up a hamstring injury in the same game.
Mason Mount is back following a wisdom tooth infection that kept him from joining the England national team for their World Cup Qualifiers against Albania and San Marino. Christian Pulisic is also looking refreshed after a goalscoring cameo for the USMNT against Mexico.
Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic is the only player still yet to train outside, but Chelsea have handled their last few Premier League games without him. Here is how Chelsea are expected to line up for their Premier League match against Leicester City.
Goalkeeper - Edouard Mendy
Edouard Mendy will continue in goal for Chelsea after his heroics in the Premier League this season. The 29-year-old has kept nine clean sheets in all competitions for Chelsea, including six in the Premier League.
Mendy played only one match for Senegal during the international break and is fully fit and fresh to resume in goal for Chelsea against Leicester City.
Right Center Back - Trevoh Chalobah
Thomas Tuchel will likely turn to 22-year-old Trevoh Chalobah to start the game in the potential absence of Thiago Silva. The youngster has impressed in his appearances for Chelsea in the Premier League this season, helping them keep four clean sheets in six appearances.
He has added two goals to his name as well. Chalobah has had the entire international break to work with the coaches and should start the game. Although Silva did not play against Argentina during the international break, he still traveled and could be given a rest.
Center Back - Andreas Christensen
Denmark star Andreas Christensen has had an impressive season for Chelsea, making eight Premier League appearances for the Blues. The 25-year-old will start in the middle of a back three for Chelsea in the absence of Thiago Silva. As mentioned earlier, the Brazilian took a long trip back to the UK after representing Brazil in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Despite playing on the right-side of the back-three whenever Silva is available, Christensen should have no problem shifting to the center to accommodate Chalobah.
Left Center Back - Antonio Rudiger
Germany defender Antonio Rudiger has been a mainstay in the Chelsea team under Thomas Tuchel and will continue to start. The 27-year-old has been an integral part of Chelsea's success in the Premier League this season.
He returned to London early after only one match for Germany in the international break due to a suspension for a yellow card accumulation.
Right Wing-Back - Reece James
In Reece James, Chelsea have had a consistent supply of goals and assists this season in the Premier League. The 21-year-old has scored four goals and assisted three more in the Premier League already this season. As such, he is one of the most in-form players in the Premier League.
James' delivery from crosses, shooting and ability to arrive in the opposition box will prove vital for Chelsea. His physical strength will give Chelsea an edge on the right flank over Leicester City's left-sided players. James will return to Premier League action after an impressive international break with England.
Central Midfield - N'Golo Kante
N'Golo Kante is sure to start against Leicester City after getting a reasonable number of minutes under his belt in the international break for France against Kazakhstan.
The midfielder has continued to impress in the Premier League for Chelsea, making seven appearances and scoring one goal for the league leaders. The 30-year-old looks to be back to his best under Thomas Tuchel and is set to start for Chelsea against his former side.
Central Midfield - Jorginho
Italian midfielder Jorginho is a Ballon d'Or candidate for his impressive showing for Chelsea and Italy. The midfielder has impressed with his metronomic passing and vision, and has been an integral part of the Chelsea team in the Premier League this season.
Jorginho is expected to bring a cool head and control to the midfield for Chelsea when they take on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. In the continued absence of Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho will have a lot of work on his hands to help Chelsea play the way they want to.
Despite his disappointment with Italy during the international break, Jorginho will have the backing of his manager and team-mates to bounce back strongly with Chelsea.
Left Wing-Back - Ben Chilwell
Ben Chilwell has emerged as an undisputed starter for Chelsea in recent weeks and has scored three goals in the Premier League for the Blues. The 24-year-old has become a key feature of Chelsea's adaptability in attack and defense, with his trademark run into opposition territory causing havoc in the opposition ranks.
Chilwell started the season on the bench after failing to see any action in over three months, but has returned to form and taken over the starting berth at Chelsea. Chilwell, like Kante, will take to the field against his former employers.
Right Wing Forward - Mason Mount
Chelsea will welcome back 22-year-old Mason Mount for their Premier League clash against Leicester City after he missed England's games after undergoing surgery for a wisdom tooth infection.
Notably, Chelsea have played some of their best football with the England international on the pitch and he has become a key player for the side. Mount scored a hat trick in his last Premier League start for the club in their 7-0 demolition of Norwich City before being sidelined.
He is expected to start on the right of an attacking trident for Chelsea after his return to full fitness. The 22-year-old attacker is usually a bundle of energy and creativity for the side when he plays.
Left Wing Forward - Callum Hudson-Odoi
Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is expected to start for Chelsea against Leicester City. He has made three consecutive Premier League starts in his preferred position for Chelsea for the first time under Thomas Tuchel.
The 21-year-old turned down an invitation from manager Lee Carsley to represent England's U21 national team in favor of remaining with his club to train and improve on his performances.
Hudson-Odoi has been a bright spark for Chelsea in recent weeks, having secured a starting berth in the absence of the regulars upfront. He scored his first Premier League goal of the season in their 7-0 drubbing of Norwich City. His combination play and understanding with Ben Chilwell has made them a formidable duo on the left flank for Chelsea in their recent Premier League matches.
Center Forward - Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz will continue to lead the line for Chelsea in the absence of Romelu Lukaku, who was reported as unfit by Thomas Tuchel in his press conference.
The 22-year-old German forward has indeed led the line admirably well for Chelsea in the Premier League, having scored in the draw against Burnley. He also won the penalty that gave Chelsea their third goal in their Premier League match against Newcastle United the previous week.
Havertz gave Chelsea quite the scare when he missed out on two training sessions for Germany and played no part in their 9-0 win over Liechtenstein due to injury.
The talented forward, however, returned with a goalscoring performance against Armenia days later to announce his return to full fitness and ease the worries of his manager Thomas Tuchel.
