Ghana defender Baba Rahman's Chelsea debut on the cards as he's named in starting line-up to Maccabi Tel Aviv in Champions League

Published on: 16 September 2015
Ghana defender Baba Rahman's Chelsea debut on the cards as he's named in starting line-up to Maccabi Tel Aviv in Champions League
Ghana defender Baba Rahman

Ghana defender Baba Rahman is set to make his debut for English side Chelsea after being handed a starting role in their UEFA Champions League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight.

This comes after coach Jose Mourinho has made six changes to the squad which lost 3-1 to Everton on Saturday in the English Premier League.

The right-back joined the club from Augsburg last month but he is yet to play for the Blues since his move from the German side.

Mourinho has been forced to throw his Ghana defender at the deep end after their 3-1 defeat by Everton with shambolic defending.

New signing Baba Rahman is at left back, with Cesar Azpilicueta moving to his more orthodox position at right back at the expense of Ivanovic.

Midfielder Nemanja Matic is also expected to be dropped in favour of Ruben Loftus-Cheek which means John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Diego Costa are facing the axe.

Mourinho said: I will make a couple of changes because I have to try a different dynamic, I have to try a couple of different faces and to give chances to people who have not been playing but have been working hard.'

Serbian star Ivanovic played in all 38 league games last season but Mourinho has now decided to turn to new £22m signing Baba Rahman.

Ivanovic was a rock in Mourinho's backline last season but the 31-year-old has looked a pale shadow of the player who used to be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Mourinho is set to play Rahman at left-back allowing Cesar Azpilicueta to switch to right-back.

Chelsea XI:

Chelsea: Begovic; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Zouma, Rahman; Matic, Loftus-Cheek; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Remy.

Maccabi: Rajkovic; Spungi, Ben Haim I, Garcia, Tibi, Rikan; Ben Haim II, Igiebor, Alberman, Mitrovic; Zahavi.

Referee: Felix Zwayer

Kick-off: 6.45pm (Ghana time)

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