The most significant team news ahead of our friendly against Roma in Washington is the return of David Luiz, who hasn’t featured since the opening game of this trip, the 2-0 win over Inter Milan.
The Brazilian partners captain John Terry at the heart of the defence, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Ryan Bertrand staring as the two full-backs. With Petr Cech not involved, there was also a start for Mark Schwarzer.
Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi are chosen to operate as the deep-lying midfield duo, with Victor Moses, Kevin De Bruyne and Andre Schurrle tasked with supplying Fernando Torres in attack.
Chelsea are expected to line up in the following 4-2-3-1 formation:
23.Schwarzer
28.Azpilicueta
4.David Luiz
26.Terry (c)
34.Bertrand
5.Essien
12.Mikel
13.Moses
15.De Bruyne
14.Schurrle
9.Torres
Substitutes: 46.Blackman, 2.Ivanovic, 3.Cole, 7.Ramires, 8.Lampard, 11.Oscar, 16.Van Ginkel, 17.Hazard, 18.Lukaku, 24.Cahill.
Roma are expected to line up in the following 4-3-3 formation:
De Sanctis; Maicon, Benatia, Castan, Balzaretti; Bradley, Strootman, Florenzi; Lamela, Osvaldo, Totti (c).