Bournemouth vs Chelsea team news: Gary Cahill left on the bench as Alvaro Morata starts

Vaishali Bhardwaj28 October 2017

Antonio Conte has made several changes to his Chelsea team that will take on Bournemouth on Saturday - with Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard being recalled to the Italian's starting line-up while Gary Cahill has been benched.

Morata, Chelsea's top scorer, was rested for the Blues' League Cup clash with Everton in midweek - a game Chelsea won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge - but the striker returns for the match against Eddie Howe's side despite Michy Batshuayi being praised by Conte for his performance against the Toffees.

Hazard and Pedro also return to Conte's XI as they play either side of Morata while Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko start in midfield despite Danny Drinkwater's return from injury.

The England international made his debut against Everton following his recovery from injury, but Conte revealed on Friday that Drinkwater is not 100 per cent fit - meaning he must settle for a place on the bench at the Vitality Stadium.

Further back, and David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta start in defence - with Cahill being left on the bench. With Azpilicueta going back into defence, Davide Zappacosta starts in the right wing-back role.

Marcos Alonso starts on the other flank as as Thibaut Courtois replaces Willy Caballero, who impressed in goal against Everton.

Chelsea starting XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta (c), Luiz, Rudiger, Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Alonso, Pedro, Morata, Hazard.

Chelsea subs: Caballero, Cahill, Christensen, Ampadu, Drinkwater, Willian, Batshuayi.

On the bench | Gary Cahill
Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Bournemouth starting XI: Begovic, S Cook, Ake, Francis, A Smith, L Cook, Surman, Daniels, Stanislas, Afobe, Defoe.

Bournemouth subs: Boruc, Gosling, Arter, Pugh, Ibe, Mousset, Wilson.