Confirmed Chelsea team vs Charlotte: No Koulibaly, Pulisic starts, Sterling on the bench

Thomas Tuchel has named Raheem Sterling among the substitutes for Chelsea's pre-season friendly against Charlotte while fellow new signing Kalidou Koulibaly is not in the match-day squad as expected.

Chelsea began their pre-season campaign at the weekend with a 2-1 victory over Club America in Las Vegas. Another difficult contest is expected this evening in North Carolina as Charlotte are in the middle of the MLS season and so will be far fitter than Tuchel's side.

The Blues' head coach has opted to keep several of his star names on the bench for the first half, with the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Sterling, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz among the substitutes. They are expected to feature in the second period with Tuchel set to rotate his side.

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There is a first appearance of pre-season for Edouard Mendy, who starts in goal for Chelsea behind a back three of Reece James, Thiago Silva and Emerson Palmieri.

Callum Hudson-Odoi is expected to fill in at right wing-back and the midfield consists of Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho. Marcos Alonso takes up his customary position at left wing-back.

Hakim Ziyech will be deployed off the right of the front three and Michy Batshuayi is handed a start as Chelsea's number nine. American superstar Christian Pulisic is handed his first start of pre-season and will start in his favoured role off the left flank.

There are several members of the squad absent. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli, Koulibaly, Ross Barkley and Timo Werner are not in the matchday squad. Kepa and Werner didn't even make the trip to Charlotte, although the latter is understood to be nursing a hamstring injury.

: Mendy; James,