With the trip to Kazakhstan on Thursday, the Blues embarked on the longest European away trip in the club’s history, with eight-hour flights to Almaty and back, and the players also played against Astana in sub-zero temperatures.

That meant we didn’t get back until Friday morning. So Maresca had just over two days to prepare for today’s game against Brentford and decided to leave the majority of our senior players at home for the trip to Kazakhstan.

So it was no surprise to learn that Maresca has decided to make ten changes for tonight’s 7pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge, with Tosin Adarabioyo the only one keeping his place.

Pedro Neto’s suspension meant there was always going to be a change from the team that beat Spurs 4-3 last weekend, with Noni Madueke returning to the right wing.

That means Robert Sanchez will be back in goal and protected by a back four that should consist of Malo Gusto on the right, Tosin and Levi Colwill in the middle and Marc Cucurella on the left.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are the two midfielders, with Cole Palmer in front of them and Jadon Sancho and Madueke on the flanks. Nicolas Jackson leads the line again.

Chelsea’s bench includes Christopher Nkunku, who did not make the trip to Kazakhstan, while the rest were all part of the squad that won 3-1 on Thursday, including academy trio Josh Acheampong, Sam Rak-Sakyi and Tyrique George.

Today’s London derby will not be televised in the UK, but you can catch all the action at our Chelsea vs Brentford Match Center on our official website and app.

Chelsea’s starting XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez (c); Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Substitute: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Disasi, Veiga, Rak-Sakyi, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Nkunku, Guiu