Team News: Ruben Loftus-Cheek keeps Chelsea spot for Brentford game

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has retained his place in the Chelsea midfield for Saturday's Premier League fixture against Brentford.

Being deployed in the centre of a midfield three, the Englishman made a positive impression against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup before the international break.

Thomas Tuchel has decided to stick with the same formation, with Loftus-Cheek being supported by N'Golo Kante and Mason Mount.

The only change to the back four sees Marcos Alonso get the nod over Malang Sarr, but there are two further alterations in attack.

Christian Pulisic, who endured a hectic international period with the USA, and Romelu Lukaku drop out of the team, with Timo Werner and Kai Havertz being recalled.

Reece James, Andreas Christensen and Saul Niguez, who have all recovered from either injury or coronavirus, are selected among the replacements.

Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger, Alonso; Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Mount; Ziyech, Havertz, Werner Subs: Arrizabalaga, James, Christensen, Sarr, Jorginho, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Lukaku

Brentford: Raya; Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock; Roerslev, Norgaard, Janelt, Eriksen, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney Subs: Fernandez, Canos, Jensen, Wissa, Ghoddos, Zanka, Fosu, Baptiste, Sorensen