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Chelsea team news: Mason Mount starts as Frank Lampard makes three changes vs Brighton
Frank Lampard is still looking for his first win during his second spell in charge of Chelsea.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is set to make three changes for the visit of Brighton on Saturday. It will be the interim boss' first game at Stamford Bridge since returning to the club. Express Sport looks at the XI Lampard is expected to pick.
Goalkeeper - Kepa
Edouard Mendy has returned to the bench for the last three matches after recovering from a finger injury. Lampard showed no hesitation during his first spell as manager in dropping Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks.
However, he is still likely to stick with the Spaniard for this game. Mendy hasn't played a single minute since December 4 last year, when England beat Senegal 3-0 at the World Cup in Qatar.
Defence - James, Fofana, Badiashile, Chilwell
Lampard will want to preserve Thiago Silva for the return leg against Real Madrid on Tuesday. Three games in six days would be a tough task for the 38-year-old, especially when he has only just returned from a knee injury.
Chelsea played with three at the back at the Bernabeu but Lampard could return to playing a flat-back four as he did against Wolves last weekend. Reece James and Ben Chilwell should keep their place from the 2-0 defeat in Madrid.
Wesley Fofana is also likely to start. With Kalidou Koulibaly injured, and Silva to be rested, Benoit Badiashile could earn his first start in almost a month.
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Midfield - Fernandez, Mount, Kovacic
Mason Mount made his first appearance in six weeks when he came on as a substitute in the second half against Real. Lampard needs to add more goals to his team and knows Mount has shown before he can be a provider in that regard.
N'Golo Kante was rested entirely for the trip to Molineux and again could he be left out of the starting XI for this one. Like Silva, Lampard will be desperate to have him at full fitness for Tuesday.
Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are options Lampard may look at in midfield. But Enzo Fernandez and Mateo Kovacic are likely to get the nod again against an impressive Brighton side who will be out to get all three points.
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Attack - Sterling, Havertz, Felix
Joe Cole believes Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz and Joao Felix can turn the tie around against Real. However, the caveat is that they must gain some confidence in front of goal first.
Lampard should go with the front three he is hoping to use for the second leg, despite their lack of goals of late. Felix has scored just twice since joining in January and is four games without a goal.
Havertz is the Blues' top scorer this season but also hasn't scored in his last four outings. Sterling hasn't scored a league goal at Stamford Bridge since August but ending that barren run today would be timely.
Chelsea expected XI vs Brighton in full: Kepa; James, Fofana, Badiashile, Chilwell; Fernandez, Kovacic, Mount; Sterling, Felix, Havertz
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