Team News: N'Golo Kante handed debut as Chelsea welcome West Ham United

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has named summer signing N'Golo Kante in his first starting lineup for this evening's visit of West Ham United.

The France international will play a key defensive role in what appears to be an unorthodox 4-1-4-1 formation for the Blues.

Kante is the only new face in the home side's XI, with Diego Costa preferred to summer arrival Michy Batshuayi who is among the subs.

West Ham, who have already played competitive football this season in the Europa League, name two new boys in their ranks as both Andre Ayew and Arthur Masuaku are involved.

James Collins comes in at the back for the visitors alongside James Reid, meanwhile, and there is a forward role for Andy Carroll on the back of a solid pre-season campaign for the Englishman.

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Kante; Willian, Matic, Oscar, Hazard; Costa Subs: Begovic, Aina, Fabregas, Loftus-Cheek, Moses, Pedro, Batshuayi

West Ham United: Adrian; Masuaku, Collins, Reid, Antonio; Nordtveit, Noble; Kouyate, Valencia, Andre Ayew; Carroll Subs: Randolph, Byram, Ogbonna, Oxford, Obiang, Tore, Payet

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