Over 10 years on from the day he first signed for the club, Romelu Lukaku will finally pull on a Chelsea shirt on a Champions League night when the defending champions host Zenit St. Petersburg on Tuesday night.
The Belgian featured in the Super Cup in 2012 but never made another European appearance before moving on with Everton, Manchester United and Inter.
The 28-year-old has started in blistering form in the Premier League with three goals in as many games and he will be looking to carry that form into midweek action.
Thomas Tuchel could opt to make a change in goal, bringing in Kepa Arrizabalaga for European games in place of Edouard Mendy.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen could come back into the side in defence, but youngster Trevoh Chalobah could make a Champions League debut of his own in order to give Antonio Rudiger a rest.
Saul was disappointing on his Chelsea debut at the weekend and was hooked at half-time, with his replacement Jorginho likely to come in from the start on this occasion.
Matteo Kovacic was superb in the win against Aston Villa with a goal and assist and should keep his place in Ngolo Kante’s absence.
WHY KANTE INJURY RECORD COULD SEE HIM LEAVE CHELSEA
Reece James was suspended for that clash and should come back in at right-wing back, with Ben Chilwell potentially getting an opportunity on the left ahead of Marcos Alonso.
Timo Werner and Mason Mount were both on the bench in the league and could be promoted to the starting XI instead of Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech.
That will leave them in support of Lukaku who will be eager to get off the mark for the Blues with a first Champions League winner’s medal in his sights come season’s end.
Chelsea starting XI versus Zenit
