Chelsea

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to make his Chelsea debut as they face the Croatian champions in the Champions League group stage.

67 mins: Ljubicic takes the ball of Broja and sparks an attack for Dinamo Zagreb. The referee thinks about it but doesn’t issue another card. Dinamo Zagreb have left nothing on the pitch and if they claim this victory it’ll be fully deserved. The Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper leaps across to his left as Reece James fizzes a shot at the near post. Instead he boots the ball straight out of play. Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Chelsea [Thomas Tuchel’s](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/thomas-tuchel) side have made a stuttering start to the season after defeats to Southampton and Leeds in the Premier League but they earned a comeback victory [over London rivals West Ham at the weekend](https://d.docs.live.net/sport/football/ben-chilwell-chelsea-west-ham-result-score-b2159143.html) to give them some momentum heading into tonight’s fixture. [Champions League](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/champions-league) returns tonight with [Chelsea](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/chelsea-fc) in group stage action as they travel to [Dinamo Zagreb](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/dinamo-zagreb) for the first match of the new campaign. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s arrival at Stamford Bridge brings some needed firepower to the forward line, and [the 33-year-old starts tonight](/sport/football/chelsea-predicted-lineups-team-news-dinamo-zagreb-b2160018.html).

There is a Chelsea debut for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a return in goal for Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Aubameyang leads the attack alongside Raheem Sterling and Havertz, while Mount and Mateo Kovacic are in midfield, the latter making his return to former club Dinamo Zagreb. Kepa is between the posts behind an expected back three of Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Azpilicueta, with Reece James and Ben Chilwell at wing-back, the latter making his 50th Chelsea start following a match-changing cameo against the Hammers. There is a Chelsea debut for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a return in goal for Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The Gabonese striker requires protective gear to play for his new club after joining from Barcelona.

He has the mask and the doctors tell me the mask is good and he feels comfortable with it. [Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) We need to see how he feels with it. [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. They injured my jaw but I will recover in no time, and thank God no one else was physically harmed.” “So he would be okay but we need to check it and we need to check it with no contact, half-contact, and then full contact. By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our We’ll need to see. Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism [watched his new side beat West Ham on Saturday](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/ben-chilwell-chelsea-west-ham-result-score-b2159143.html) and has since travelled to Zagreb with the squad for the [Champions League](/topic/champions-league) group stage opener, alongside new signing Denis Zakaria, and makes his debut against Dinamo Zagreb. [Chelsea ](/topic/chelsea-fc)striker [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang](/topic/pierre-emerick-aubameyang) is wearing a mask to train and play since his [deadline day transfer from Barcelona](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/aubameyang-chelsea-transfer-news-arsenal-barcelona-b2157575.html). [Thomas Tuchel](/topic/thomas-tuchel) has called on the Gabonese striker to boost the Blues’ attack and kick-start their season after a stuttering start.

LIVERPOOL and Manchester City have been told to take advantage of Chelsea's transfer business in the future.

Billy did not want to go on loan, it was a no-go for him so in the end we agreed to a sale." However, Nevin has argued that Chelsea may now miss out on the player long-term, believing he is good enough to go to play for the likes of City and Liverpool. He struggled last season while he was sent out on loan to a poor Norwich team, hence leaving him further outside the first team picture at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won't regret selling him because that's not the way they think as a club - but they may want to buy him back again. The Scottish international was allowed to join Brighton on deadline day in a £9million transfer after falling out of favour with Blues boss [Thomas Tuchel](/latest/thomas-tuchel). However, he started to fall out of first-team favour when the Englishman was replaced by Tuchel, despite continuing to perform for his national side.

Chelsea signed the former Arsenal striker for a reported £10 million on deadline day, and the former Blues winger thinks it was a smart deal.

Some of his deliveries, I wish I was a striker in those positions.” I think he’s someone in big games who Chelsea look to make the difference.” And I think he’s becoming a leader in the dressing room. [James commits to Chelsea with bumper six-year contract deal](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premier-league/2022-2023/chelsea-defender-reece-james-signs-new-five-year-contract-at-stamford-bridge-with-option-of-a-furthe_sto9126249/story.shtml) [Tuchel reveals Aubameyang could make debut in Champions League tie](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/chelsea-manager-thomas-tuchel-reveals-pierre-emerick-aubameyang-could-make-debut-in-champions-league-tie_vid1744202/video.shtml) [Madrid to retain? Champions League predictions](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/champions-league/2022-2023/real-madrid-to-retain-erling-haaland-to-shine-liverpool-to-flop-inside-europe-champions-league-2022_sto9126385/story.shtml) “He scored 11 goals in 17 for Barcelona, he does everything Chelsea need; he gets on the shoulder, he’s a finisher, he’s a proven goalscorer and it’s a great bit of business”.

Todd Boehly was in the stands as Chelsea fell to defeat 4-2 against Dinamo Zagreb.

Soonsup-Bell - Chelsea struggled to get their primary striker involved, though Soonsup-Bell was foiled early in the second half when trying to get a strike off. He netted two impressive headers to try and keep the Blues in the game. He was unfortunate not to score in the opening half after a good run and was a constant threat when he moved to the left in the second half. Lewis Hall - It took a little while for Hall to gauge his radar, but he was soon spreading the ball well and provided a precise assist for Leo Castledine. He grew into the game as it wore on and combined well with Thomas in the second half. Bashir Humphreys - The youngster's leadership qualities were on show as he tried to get his teammates to remain composed in difficult circumstances.

Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Chelsea LIVE! Orsic goal - Champions League match stream, latest score and updates today. VIEW COMMENTS.

Chelsea went from 3-4-3 to 4-4-2 to an unorthodox late match formation in a 3-1-4-1 shape. Reece James struck a post at the death but Dinamo were not to be denied a victory as famous and deserved for the hosts as it could prove damaging for the Blues. Not sure it would have even reached the goal. Sterling looked like a fish out of water playing in central midfield. New striker Aubameyang appeared tentative on his Blues bow, though the Gabon forward can be afforded leeway given he featured with a face mask to protect his broken jaw. Croatia forward Orsic’s breakaway goal proved enough for Dinamo to topple the 2021 Champions League winners at the Maksimir Stadium.

Thomas Tuchel could give Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang his Chelsea debut on Tuesday night, but their newest signing will have to wear a mask to protect his jaw ...

He is very ambitious, very focused and hungry to play for us and to prove a point. Tuchel was Jurgen Klopp's successor in 2015, and Aubameyang left shortly after the German's controversial departure in May 2017. Aubameyang has been forced to wear a mask due to the injuries sustained, and he's already been spotted wearing it in training. The striker is no stranger to wearing a mask, as he's become well known for celebrating with a collection of face coverings during his time at Saint Etienne, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal. "He has taken care with his recovery, we have been able to bring everybody to do our last training here in Zagreb," Tuchel said on Monday. [Thomas Tuchel](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/latest/thomas-tuchel) is ready to unleash his new signing and has urged Aubameyang to 'prove a point'.

Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Thomas Tuchel. On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the Club would like to place on record its ...

Thomas will rightly have a place in Chelsea’s history after winning the Champions League, the Super Cup and Club World Cup in his time here. As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the Club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition. On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the Club would like to place on record its gratitude to Thomas and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club.

Chelsea have sacked Thomas Tuchel as manager and are expected to approach Brighton for permission to speak to Graham Potter.

The owners began to see the same complaints from him and the same excuses but no solutions, with Zagreb representing the nadir. “On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the club would like to place on record its gratitude to Thomas and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the club,” a statement said. Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard in January 2021 and won the Champions League four months later. Tuchel came to feel he had too many players to accommodate and not enough he could count on. Boehly’s data analysts had pushed for the Everton midfielder after being impressed by some of his performance metrics. Chelsea have spent a record £266m in one window to bring in Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Carney Chukwuemeka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang among others.

We'll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Chelsea FC PLC news every morning. The new US owners of Chelsea Football Club have sacked head ...

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Chelsea have sacked head coach Thomas Tuchel. It comes after a dissapointing start to the season which has seen the Blues lose three of their opening seven ...

The ownership group will now “move swiftly” to appoint a new head coach, the statement adds. “As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition.” “On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the club would like to place on record its gratitude to Thomas and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the club,” Chelsea said in a statement.