Chelsea returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday by thumping Aston Villa 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of a goal by Diego Costa and another forced own goal through Villa defender Alan Hutton – by the Brazil-born striker.
The west London club will now face Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League on Tuesday with the hope of securing a win after losing their last game in the competition against Porto.
Boss Jose Mourinho benched some first team players for the game against Tim Sherwood’s side yesterday including talismanic forward and current PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard.
The Belgium international was brought on as an 83rd minute substitute for Pedro, with the game as good as over. Now Hazard, 24, is expected to return to the Blues’ starting XI for the CL tie against the Ukrainian outfit, despite the comments made of the play-maker by Mourinho after the game.
The Portuguese tactician said Hazard needed to improve his defensive aspects of the game, as that is why he was dropped for the Villa match.
Willian and Pedro – who played on either flanks were praised by Mourinho for their defensive contribution to the game, and the self-proclaimed Special One said Hazard has to bend to his own ways or continue being benched.
Nemanja Matic also started the game from the bench, coming on as a half-time substitute for youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The Serbian midfielder is also expected to resume defensive midfield duties from the start against Dynamo Kyiv.
With Branislav Ivanovic still out with injury, Cesar Azpilicueta will likely resume duties at right-back, while Baba Rahman may continue at left-back.
Kiev have four points along with Porto so Chelsea, winners of the competition in 2012, can ill-afford to lose in the Ukrainian capital.