Thiago Silva makes Premier League debut as Chelsea CAPTAIN and Frank Lampard makes Kepa Arrizbalaga decision for West Brom clash

New signing Thiago Silva will make his Premier League debut for Chelsea as captain at West Brom on Saturday evening – live on talkSPORT.

After reaching full fitness and impressing briefly during the EFL Cup thrashing of Barnsley on Wednesday, the defender has been thrown straight into Chelsea’s shaky back four to shore things up.

There is no Ben Chilwell in the squad, despite many expecting the former Leicester man to get his first Premier League start, meaning Marcos Alonso lives to fight another day at left-back.

However, Kepa Arrizabalaga’s Chelsea days appear to be numbered following that dreadful mistake against Liverpool last week.

The Blues recently confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Rennes, although this game comes too soon for the new arrival.

Nevertheless, Lampard has still decided to bench Kepa and use Willy Caballero in goal.

Tammy Abraham is rewarded with a start following his bright display in midweek, with Mason Mount dropping into midfield and Jorginho starting among the substitutes.

West Brom vs Chelsea: Confirmed team news

West Brom: Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, O’Shea, Sawyers, Livermore, Diangana, Pereira, Townsend, Robinson.

Subs: Button, Robson-Kanu, Phillips, Harper, Kipre, Field.

Chelsea: Caballero, James, Christensen, Silva, Alonso, Kante, Kovacic, Mount, Havertz, Abraham, Werner.

Subs: Kepa, Jorginho, Barkley, Tomori, Giroud, Azpilicueta, Hudson-Odoi.