Carlos Baleba has been handed his first Albion start.

Baleba and Mahmoud Dahoud start together in midfield at Stamford Bridge, as Roberto De Zerbi indicated would be the case in his press conference yesterday.

Elsewhere, the head coach is taking a look at the centre-back pairing which debuted in Europe.

He names Jan Paul van Hecke and Igor Julio as his starters in the Carabao Cup tie.

The duo had an up-and-down night at home to AEK last week.

Skipper Lewis Dunk, who missed that game due to injury, is among the subs tonight.

Evan Ferguson is not involved as the Seagulls take care of him after recent illness.

Bart Verbruggen continues in goal.

Chelsea have named FOUR former Albion players in their XI.

Robert Sanchez, Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and former loanee Levi Colwill are all in the side.

Chelsea: Sanchez; Chilwell, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Ugochukwu; Palmer, Maatsen, Mudryk; Jackson. Subs: Petrovic, Brooking, Gilchrist, Gallagher, Fernandez, Sterling, Matos, Washington, Broja

Albion: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Igor, Esupinan; Dahoud, Baleba; Buonanotte, Ansu Fati, Mitoma; Joao Pedro. Subs: Steele, Dunk, Veltman, Gilmour, Hinshelwood, Lallana, Welbeck, Adingra, March.