Chelsea make five changes for their Premier League match at Brentford, with Jordan Henderson included in the starting line-up for his first appearance for the club at his former stomping ground. Danny Welbeck, Valentín Barco and Pep Chavarría are also named for their full Premier League debuts, while Maxence Lacroix comes into the side.
Roméo Lavia and Malo Gusto drop to the substitutes’ bench. João Pedro, Jorrel Hato and captain Reece James are left out of the squad. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso told Sky Sports that James has “a little injury in the hamstring”.
Alonso said the team had not yet found enough continuity and stability in central midfield but described Henderson’s return as important because of the help he could provide to teammates. He also stressed the need for Chelsea to improve defensively, become more solid and work on their organisation as the season develops.
Brentford make two changes from the team that faced Bournemouth the previous weekend. Mikkel Damsgaard and Michael Kayode replace Aaron Hickey and Mamadou Sangaré, who are among the substitutes.
Brentford name Caoimhin Kelleher, Kayode, Schuster, Ajer, Lewis-Potter, Yarmolyuk, Janelt, Anthony, Damsgaard, Schade and Thiago. Chelsea start with Martinez, Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill, Pedro Neto, Henderson, Barco, Chavarría, Palmer, Rogers and Welbeck.
The Guardian notes that each club’s previous league match ended 2-2, as did the most recent meeting between these sides. Brentford’s six games so far have produced 21 goals, while Chelsea’s six have seen 30 goals conceded. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm BST.