Team News: Chelsea vs. Brighton & Hove Albion team news: Starting lineups confirmed as Enzo Maresca selects Cole Palmer replacement

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has selected Enzo Fernandez as the replacement for the injured Cole Palmer for Saturday's Premier League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion.

With Palmer sidelined for at least the next three games, Maresca had a decision to make over who to select in the number 10 role at Stamford Bridge.

Fernandez has been moved forward into that position with Andrey Santos coming into the side for his first-ever Premier League start alongside Moises Caicedo in the engine room.

Meanwhile, Maresca has taken the surprising approach of using Jorrel Hato as his left-sided centre-back alongside Trevoh Chalobah, rather than handing a start to Josh Acheampong.

Former Brighton forward Joao Pedro has shaken off an injury issue to start in attack, while Estevao Willian features down the right flank ahead of the returning Reece James.

Marc Guiu is also back on the substitutes' bench as he awaits his first appearance since being recalled from Sunderland.

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Brighton make one change for Chelsea fixture

As for Brighton, Fabian Hurzeler has decided to reward Diego Gomez for his four goals against Barnsley in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night with a start in midfield.

Brajan Gruda is the player to make way with Yasin Ayari potentially being used as the most attacking member of the three-man midfield.

Georginio Rutter keeps his place down the centre of the attack ahead of Danny Welbeck.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Estevao, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro

Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Gusto, Badiashile, Lavia, Gittens, Garnacho, George, Guiu

Brighton & Hove Albion XI: Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari, Gomez; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma

Subs: Steele, Gruda, Tzimas, Welbeck, Milner, Boscagli, Wieffer, De Cuyper, Coppola