Tuchel set to hand Premier League debuts to two Chelsea players against Aston Villa
According to latest reports, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel could be set to hand out two Premier League debuts this weekend against Aston Villa.
The Blues take on Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night and will be aiming to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Now, though, Tuchel knows the full squad he has to choose from with the transfer window now shut.
Chelsea have managed to bring in three new faces throughout the summer and one of those could be in line for his first Premier League appearance in just a few days’ time.
That man is Saul Niguez, who was announced as the Blues’ final arrival on the window after his loan spell from Atletico Madrid was confirmed.
Of course, the midfielder has played against Premier League sides in the past – specifically Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Leicester City in the Champions League – but has never actually played in the league, having consistently been on the books of Atleti throughout the majority of his career.
He could be handed an opportunity to impress should N’Golo Kante remain an injury doubt.
Another who could potentially be in line for his first Premier League outing is French centre-back Malang Sarr. The defender, who was signed from Nice last season, could be a surprise option.
Thiago Silva could potentially be banned having missed international duty, whilst fellow centre-backs Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi and Kurt Zouma have all been sold this summer.
This then could see Sarr slot alongside Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger in a three-man backline, with Cesar Azpilicueta deployed on the right flank in the absence of Reece James due to suspension.
Having said that, youngster Trevoh Chalobah is the most likely option to be handed an opportunity by Tuchel.