Team News: Timo Werner handed Chelsea start for Norwich City fixture

Timo Werner has been handed a rare Chelsea start in the Premier League for Thursday's fixture at Norwich City.

The Germany international will be making just his seventh top-flight start of the campaign, the attacker taking the place of Christian Pulisic who does not feature in the squad.

Antonio Rudiger has been rested, handing an opportunity to Barcelona-linked Andreas Christensen, while Cesar Azpilicueta returns at right wing-back.

Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic make up the midfield two, with Saul Niguez continuing at left wing-back courtesy of Marcos Alonso having only recently recovered from coronavirus.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Romelu Lukaku, both who may have expected to have been handed a chance at Carrow Road, remain among the replacements.

The fixture is being played on the same day that owner Roman Abramovich and Chelsea have been heavily sanctioned by the government, a consequence of the Russian billionaire's links with Russia president Vladimir Putin.

Norwich City: Krul; Aarons, Hanley, Kabak, Williams; Zimmermann, Normann; Sargent, McLean, Lees-Melou; Pukki Subs: Gunn, Gibson, Giannoulis, Dowell, Rupp, Placheta, Sorensen, Rashica, Rowe

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