Chelsea squad revealed as Sarri confirms changes for Slavia Prague clash

Chelsea will be looking to bring home a positive result from the first leg of their Europa League quarter final with Slavia Prague on Thursday night.

The Blues flew-out to the Czech Republic from London this afternoon as favourites to win the competition this season ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Napoli and Valencia so they’ll be expected to put one foot in the last-4 with a win over Prague.

Chelsea head into the game off the back of comfortable victories over Brighton and West Ham which have moved them up to third in the Premier League table so Maurizio Sarri’s side should be full of confidence.

The west Londoners have announced on their official website the full 21-man squad that made the trip to Prague this afternoon with Ethan Ampadu, Gary Cahill and Danny Drinkwater the only notable absentees.

Here is the travelling squad as per Chelseafc.com :

Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero, Marcin Bulka

Defenders: Toni Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Marcos Alonso, Emerson Palmieri, Davide Zappacosta

Midfielders: Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Ross Barkley, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Attackers: Callum Hudson-Odoi, Eden Hazard, Pedro, Willian, Olivier Giroud, Gonzalo Higuain

Sarri held his pre-match press conference this evening and the Chelsea boss has confirmed he plans to make a number of changes to his starting eleven for the first leg with Prague.

Chelsea face a crucial Premier League trip to Anfield to take on leaders Liverpool on Sunday so Sarri has hinted he’s ready to rest key men for the game with Eden Hazard among those expected to be given a breather after playing 90 minutes against West Ham on Monday night.

Sarri says he does not know yet if Hazard will play tomorrow as this morning in training he was a little tired, like the other players who played 90 minutes v West Ham. He adds we need to change five or six players with the Liverpool game coming so soon after. #SLACHE

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 10, 2019

Youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi will be hoping he’s done enough to keep his place after starting the last two matches while the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Pedro, Willian and Ross Barkley are pushing for recalls.

Hazard is expected to be rested while the likes of David Luiz, N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Cesar Azpilicueta could also be given a breather as Chelsea look to protect some players ahead of Sunday’s huge trip to Liverpool.