How Chelsea could line up against West Ham United

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel will naturally be contemplating several changes to his starting lineup for Saturday's London derby against West Ham United.

On Tuesday night, the Blues succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at Southampton, Tuchel later concluding that his team had become 'too easy to beat' in the Premier League.

A straight swap is expected in the middle of the pitch with Ruben Loftus-Cheek likely to be replaced by Conor Gallagher on his return from suspension, but the former is already back in training after a hamstring injury.

Although Mateo Kovacic has made two successive outings from the substitutes' bench after a knee injury, the Croatia international played longer than advised on Tuesday and will likely only be selected among the replacements.

Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah missed out in midweek through illness and a knee issue respectively but are both available for this fixture, while Wesley Fofana could be handed an immediate debut on the right-hand side of a back three.

Cesar Azpilicueta may retain his spot on the right, despite a below-par showing against the Saints, while Ben Chilwell is pushing for a chance ahead of Marc Cucurella on the opposite flank.

In terms of the attack, Tuchel could stick with the same three players which started on Tuesday, but Armando Broja showed enough as a substitute in that game that he deserves an opportunity ahead of Kai Havertz.

Deadline-day arrival Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will spend at least two more weeks on the sidelines with a broken jaw, while Denis Zakaria is not expected to come into contention until the Champions League meeting with Dinamo Zagreb next week due to work permit issues.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Mendy; Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly; Azpilicueta, Gallagher, Jorginho, Cucurella; Mount, Sterling, Broja