Antonio Conte will be the last of the Premier League's new managers to start his campaign when Chelsea kick off their season opener on Monday night, and he's got more than a few little selection decisions to make.
Here's what his starting XI might look like...
Goalkeeper
- Courtois
Come on now, it's Thibaut Courtois. TBO. Big TC. Tibby C. Holding Court.*
He starts.
*It's possible that he doesn't go by many of those nicknames
Defence
- Ivanovic
- Cahill
- Terry
- Azpilicueta
Branislav Ivanovic's recovery from a shoulder injury has progressed quicker than expected, leaving him likely to start at right-back with young starlet Ola Aina waiting in the wings for his chance.
Kurt Zouma's continued absence means that the Terry-Cahill partnership should continue unbroken for now, while Cesar Azpilicueta completes a very familiar back-line.
Midfield
- Kanté
- Willian
- Cesc
- Matic
- Hazard
The midfield collective actually looks pretty familiar too - the Blues have only signed two players this summer, remember, but the added presence of N'Golo Kante means that Antonio Conte can the rest of his midfielders a little more license.
Both Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas have been linked with Juventus in recent days and weeks, but could each keep their places in the middle of the park - although Oscar is certainly a threat.
Forwards
- D. Costa
He's big. He's brutal. He's back. Diego Costa looks set to kick off a third season of leading the line for the Blues, but this season he'll be kept on a pretty short leash by the presence of Michy Batshuayi.
Batshuayi's presence also gives Conte the option of playing two up front if West Ham prove stubborn in defence - but he's yet to get fully bedded into the squad.
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