UEFA Champions League: Chelsea vs Real Madrid line up

Chelsea will be hoping to have Christian Pulisic back to the fold for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg with Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge.

The USA international didn’t play against Brentford at the end of the week following the break however is supposed to get back to fitness on time to participate in midweek.

Pulisic being accessible would leave Ben Chilwell out, while Callum Hudson-Odoi’s Achilles and back issues could also render him inaccessible.

With Brentford penetrating Chelsea’s four-man defence multiple times at the end of the week, Thomas Tuchel could return to a three of Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger this week.

The Blues manager is allowed to do so having welcomed Reece James back to fitness, with the England international apparently set to possess his traditional back role as Marcos Alonso forges ahead with the opposite side.

Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic were both named among the substitutes at the end of the week however have solid possibilities displacing Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante – the former of whom is one booking away from an European ban.

Pulisic makes certain to come into contention for a start over Timo Werner on Wednesday, however Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz will both desire to hold their places.

Chelsea conceivable starting line up: Mendy; Silva, Azpilicueta, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Mount; Havertz