Chelsea v Brighton line-ups: Kante absent from new-look midfield, academy trio on bench

Chelsea are without key midfielder N’Golo Kante for the visit of Brighton.

Boss Frank Lampard said Kante was omitted as a precaution because of a slight hamstring problem, while Mateo Kovacic was left on the bench in a new-look midfield that sees Ross Barkley start and experienced duo Willian and Pedro get the nod.

Academy trio Marc Guehi, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James are all on the bench after their impressive displays in the midweek Carabao Cup thrashing of Grimsby Town.

Marcos Alonso continues at left-back in place of Emerson, who was injured against Liverpool but centre-back Kurt Zouma misses out because of illness.

The Blues are still searching for a first home win of the season, having drawn two and lost one so far.