Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of Thomas Tuchel's pre-match press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup third round tie with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
The Blues host the Midlanders for the second time in ten days on Wednesday. The first meeting between the two in the league saw Chelsea run out 3-0 winners in the Premier League, a brace of goals from Romelu Lukaku and a rare strike from Mateo Kovacic saw off a spirited Villa side.
Villa proved more than a match for Chelsea on the day before the Blues eased away in the second half as Dean Smith's side failed to take their chances and they were punished by Tuchel's men.
The Blues are unbeaten in all competitions this season and sit atop of the Premier League following Sunday's 3-0 victory over Spurs is north London. Villa had a 3-0 win over their own last time out as they swept past Everton at Villa Park on Saturday.
Smith sent his side out at Stamford Bridge earlier this month to match up Tuchel's five-man defence and it worked well as Chelsea were frustrated despite Lukaku's early opener. Villa's profligacy in front of goal caught up with them however and Chelsea stretched away.
Tuchel is expected to rotate his side for the game, giving chances to fringe players who have yet to play heavily in the league or Champions League.
Ben Chilwell should make his first start of the season, while the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Timo Werner and Saul Niguez are all in line for starts as well.
We will bring you the very latest from Tuchel's press conference, which is due to start at 1pm. As always, there will be a full transcript with every word the head coach had to say online later this afternoon.
Edouard Mendy update
Sounds like the Blues goalkeeper will start training again tomorrow but won't be available to face Villa. What about City? Full story.
More on Werner
It shows also how Romelu is, he knows how a striker feels that lacks goals. For me, Timo was in dangerous positions and wasn't too far out, in and aroud the box. He had the assist which was well done, this is important. How he trains, not only in quality but the attitude. He is more free in his movement and with more confidence. Sometimes it needs time.
Thiago Silva
From the first day I met him in Paris, I am happy to have him here, he is a fantastic professional, captain and a person. His approach to recovery, to live this life as a professional is simply outstanding like what he eats, when he eats, how he recovers, how he trains. There is no training session where he is trying to hold back.
Making early changes and tactical tweaks
Sometimes, you know there are things when if you do it at half time or developments in the game you can make longer but it is a form of trust for the bench, we can turn to people to have an instant impact. It is not a general thing, we don't wait for it.
It is in-game coaching and adapting to what the opponents offer. At Liverpool it was neccessary because of the red card and then unlucky for Saul against Villa. Then we had N'Golo on the bench and we could have waited but if you have him then you want him on the pitch.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek minutes tomorrow?
We gave him some against Zenit in a close game. That was not a gift, he deserved it and I trust him. He accepts his situation and what he makes out of it is good training every day. There is a big chance tomorrow he can show it.
Understand his point of view?
Isn't it always like this? We have so many games, it becomes normal and maybe it sometimes lowers the effect of it. If this is his point, I can see his point. He is experienced and responsible enough and that is the way it is.
Alonso not taking the knee
I know Marcos and he is 1000 per cent against racism, there is no question about it. We are all against it.
Timo Werner
He gave us a clear impression of how dangerous he and Romelu can be together. There was some disappointment from the Euros and the first game,s I don't think he was happy with his performances.
The stuff that you don't see, he is more relaxed, more fluid in his movements and that is why he came on early against Tottenham. There are clear signs he is in a good way.
Your squad is in a good place right now
We are in a good place at the moment because we work hard and value the opportunities that we have. The group is a strong group and we have to take care of it every single day. It does not last forever.
Edouard Mendy fit/one eye on Man City
Yes there will be some changes because we can give important minutes to guys who are missing them at the moment.
Edou Mendy will not be fit. We hope to have him in individual training on Wednesday then group training on Thursday.
Tuchel's tactical tweaks
The head coach was roundly praised on Sunday after his decision to hook Mason Mount at half time and replace him with N'Golo Kante with the game locked at 0-0 against Spurs.
Chelsea scored twice in the first 12 minutes of the second half to move clear of their opponents and our tactics guru Josh Williams has taken a look at how the Blues did it.
15 minute warning!
Not long now until Tuchel arrives at Cobham for his press conference.
What's been happening elsewhere
While some fringe Blues stars might have a chance to play tomorrow night, others went on loan and were playing over the weekend. Armando Broja might have proved he needs more pitch time for Southampton, while the likes of Michy Batshuayi and Tino Anjorin have been finding the net. Full story.
Potential changes
Tuchel is expected to hand some fringe players starts tomorrow night but who could be in line to be announced on the teamsheet at 6.45pm?
How will Tuchel view the Carabao Cup?
Some managers see the Carabao Cup as a bit of an unwelcome distraction (until they reah the semi final or final, anyway) but will Tuchel think the same?
His previous comments seem to indicate he wont as he prepares to make his managerial debut in the competition on Wednesday.
Hello!
Good to have you with us!
Thomas Tuchel will be here in around an hour's time to preview the match against Aston Villa tomorrow.
So, while we've got some time, why not catch up on some of our Blues pieces you may have missed over the last couple of days.