Predicted Chelsea XI to face Dinamo Zagreb: Mendy handed another chance as Aubameyang pushes for Blues debut

Chelsea face Dinamo Zagreb in the first match of their 2022/23 Champions League group stage.

Thomas Tuchel's side crashed out of the competition in the quarter-finals last year as they looked to defend their crown, with eventual champions Real Madrid beating the Blues on aggregate.

Chelsea will be looking to get off to a winning start against Dinamo Zagreb, who were the lowest seeded team in their group.

With AC Milan and FC Salzburg making up the rest of the group, Chelsea will be hoping to progress to the knock-out stages once again and look to compete for the trophy to add a third to their collection.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel appears frustrated during the Premier League match at St Mary's Stadium. (Alamy)

Neither Thiago Silva or N'Golo Kante have travelled for the Blues, with the French midfielder nursing a hamstring injury which sees him out of contention.

Mateo Kovacic is in the squad after recent injury troubles, while Chelsea could have two new faces in their side.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria have both travelled and could make their debuts in Croatia, with both having arrived on Deadline Day.

Wesley Fofana also arrived in the last week of the transfer window and could make his second apperance after a debut in Saturday's win over West Ham.

 Revealed: Chelsea's 23-man travelling squad to face Dinamo Zagreb for Champions League opener

Predicted Chelsea XI to face Dinamo Zagreb: Mendy, Fofana, Chalobah, Koulibaly, James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Chilwell, Mount, Havertz, Sterling

Edouard Mendy is set to keep his place in goal despite Tuchel's Kepa admission after the Senegal international's mistake against West Ham.

Speaking after the match, Tuchel admitted that Kepa is ready to play if called upon. He said: "It's like I say, a very sensitive position in football in general. And not everything is about pure quality and decision making, it's also about the feel, that you feel the confidence.

“And from my point of view, he's (Kepa) absolutely ready to play. It's on us if we give him the chance or not but he's 100% ready given how he behaves and how trains."

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Thomas Tuchel and Edouard Mendy. (Alamy)

With Silva not travelling for the clash, Tuchel will most likely name an alternative in the centre of central defence, sticking to a back five.

Trevoh Chalobah has played here previously and could be called upon, however, Cesar Azpilicueta could also return to the defence and see Fofana play in the centre.

After his match-winning cameo against the Hammers on Saturday, Ben Chilwell could find minutes from the start while Mason Mount and Kai Havertz could return in the front three.

Aubameyang and Zakaria could make their debuts from the bench if required, having only had a handful of training sessions.

Speaking on the likelihood of Aubameyang starting, Tuchel said: "He cannot play 90 minutes. It’s on us to take a decision on how we manage the minutes.

"He needs minutes to get his full fitness and rhythm. It’s on us to find a solution if he comes from the bench or starts.”