Chelsea vs Barnsley: Lampard set to hand Chilwell, Silva debuts

Frank Lampard could hand debuts to two of his summer signings in tonight’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Barnsley, with Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell fit and ready to feature.

Both defenders have missed the start of the new season having suffered injuries before making the move to west London.

The duo returned to training at Cobham last week and are now ready to be involved in Lampard’s plans going forward.

Barnsley’s visit to Stamford Bridge will come too soon for fellow new arrival Hakim Ziyech, though the Moroccan and Christian Pulisic are making progress with their own respective recoveries.

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“He is in the squad tomorrow,” Lampard said of Silva, who turned 36 on Tuesday.

“Chilwell is in the squad tomorrow and Christian and Hakim Ziyech are getting closer as well.”

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Lampard is also expected to hand chances to a number of other players who have fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea since the glut of summer arrivals.

Tammy Abraham will be keen to impress, as will Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Possible Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Caballero; Azpilicueta, Tomori, Rudiger, Chilwell; Jorginho, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek; Hudson-Odoi, Mount, Abraham