Chelsea will welcome legendary midfielder Frank Lampard back to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening, but the Derby boss will show no favours to his former club.
The Blues are likely to field a weakened XI for the Carabao Cup clash, but several shining fringe stars will need to continue their form in order to dispatch Lampard’s Rams. Former Arsenal players, though at different spells, Olivier Giroud and Cesc Fabregas are likely to spearhead Sarri attack.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley has been in outstanding form in recent weeks, and are both set to start for Chelsea. Loftus-Cheek bagged four goals in four days including a hat-trick against BATE Borisov, while Barkley grabbed two goals and an assist.
Maurizio Sarri could name an entirely fresh backline including Davide Zappacosta and Emerson Palmieri at full-back with Andreas Christensen and Gary Cahill in the middle.
Pedro left the game against Crystal Palace with a ‘very strong stomach ache’ according to Sarri. The Spanish winger is a doubt to face Derby, with Victor Moses in line to start on the right flank.
Olivier Giroud could start ahead of Alvaro Morata as part of the rotation despite Morata’s goal at the weekend.
Eden Hazard is highly unlikely to be given any game time, even if he has recovered from his back injury.
The Belgian star will not be risked or rushed going forward, though youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi may still miss out on a return to first-team action given the form of several other squad players.