John Stones starts for Everton against the club that tried to sign him all summer this afternoon as Chelsea visit Goodison Park in the Premier League.
The champions had three offers rejected for the England defender, the highest believed to be in the region of £34m, as the Toffees refused to sell.
Roberto Martinez is forced into two changes from the side which drew 0-0 at Tottenham Hotspur, with Tom Cleverley and Bryan Oviedo out through injury.
Muhamed Besic comes into midfield, while Brendan Galloway deputises at left-back with Leighton Baines a long-term absentee. Deadline-day signings Aaron Lennon and Ramiro Funes Mori are on the bench.
Team news is in! Here’s our starting XI and subs. #EFCvCHE pic.twitter.com/VnDffqs6sH
— Everton (@Everton) September 12, 2015
Jose Mourinho recalls captain John Terry after suspension, with Kurt Zouma preferred to Gary Cahill as his partner, but has lost Thibaut Courtois to a knee injury, so Asmir Begovic starts in goal.
John Obi Mikel makes his first start of the season to shore up the midfield, with Willian dropped and Cesc Fabregas relieved of some of his defensive duties by being given a more advanced role.
Eden Hazard and Pedro flank Diego Costa in attack, with Radamel Falcao on the bench again despite his maiden Blues goal in the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace prior to the international break.
Oscar sits out with a muscle strain and his Brazilian compatriot Ramires is also missing. There is no place in the squad for either Baba Rahman or fellow new buy Papy Djilobodji.
Here’s how Chelsea are likely to line up against Everton… #CFC pic.twitter.com/CTCwogVKSW
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 12, 2015
Today’s subs: Blackman, Cahill, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Willian, Falcao, Remy. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 12, 2015
SEE MORE:
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5 reasons Chelsea will win at Everton
Everton v Chelsea preview & injury news
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