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Chelsea confirm team to face Singha All-Stars

De Bruyne wants playing time? I'll give him playing time!
De Bruyne wants playing time? I'll give him playing time!
Richard Heathcote

Jose Mourinho's preparing for his second first friendly in charge of the club tomorrow, and he's already decided who'll be playing. With more than a few guys missing thanks to the Confederations Cup, we're not going to see anything like the strongest lineups possible... but that's ok. This is the Singa All-Stars in a game that doesn't matter one bit.

Here are the lineups, as confirmed by Chelsea.

First Half

Petr Cech; Ashley Cole, John Terry, Tomas Kalas, Wallace; Frank Lampard, Michael Essien; Andre Schurrle, Kevin de Bruyne, Lucas Piazon; Romelu Lukaku.

Notes:

  • This could be a 4-3-3 pretty easily if Mourinho decides Essien's capable of playing a lone holder role and drops de Bruyne back into midfield. I'm not sure that'll happen, since the Belgain's workload's going to be pretty high tomorrow, but this isn't a guaranteed 4-2-3-1.
  • Wallace at right back! Kalas at centre back! These are exciting times.
  • Andre Schurrle makes his Chelsea debut. I have a pretty good feeling about him. Must be the suits.
Second Half

Jamal Blackman; Ryan Bertrand, Nathaniel Chalobah, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic; Ramires, Marco van Ginkel; Victor Moses, Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne; Demba Ba.

Notes:

  • Unlike the first half lineup, this is almost certainly a 4-2-3-1. And it's not a very sturdy one, with Ramires and van Ginkel comprising the pivot. Then again, it's a friendly.
  • One talking point will be the presence of Chalobah in the back line. Don't take this as an indication that he's being transitioned permanently to the defence -- it's simply because Chelsea don't have any real options back there. Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz are still on holiday, so Chalobah gets to slot in.
  • Mourinho's taking his promise of playing time for de Bruyne seriously.
  • Hazard central, de Bruyne wide? Could be an interesting choice if it happens, but I don't think we're likely to see Hazard stay in the middle for long.
  • Fernando Torres is excluded because he isn't with the squad. Not because Mourinho hates him.

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