Chelsea XI vs Palmeiras: Starting lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for the Club World Cup Final

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has touched down in Abu Dhabi and has made the big call to start Edouard Mendy in this afternoon’s Club World Cup final against Palmeiras.

Tuchel has dropped Kepa Arrizabalaga despite his impressive form while Edouard Mendy was on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

On Friday his assistant Zsolt Low dropped a major hint the Senegal keeper would be recalled.

He said: “We are very proud of Edu and the whole squad is happy he won the African Cup and we have been waiting for him. He arrived in a very good mood, but he has a big smile on his face all the time and is a very important person in this group.

“He gives a lot of energy. He was a little tired the first day, we had to take care of him and a good recovery and a good sleep, but now he is fully involved in training.

“We’re very happy that he’s healthy and absolutely in good shape with good experience behind him. He’s absolutely ready to play the game.”

Low added: “We’re very happy with both goalkeepers. It’s a comfortable situation to have both goalkeepers like this. Now Edou is back, he is fresh, we have to take the decision tonight.

“We talk to Thomas about it. The final decision will be some hours before the game, but if we decide for one or the other the one on the bench has nothing to be worried or sad about.”

Chelsea starting XI: Mendy, Christensen, Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi, Mount, Lukaku, Havertz

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