TEAM NEWS: Oscar makes first Premier League start for Chelsea against Stoke City

22 Sep 2012 14:07:00

Frank Lampard and John Terry drop to the bench, so Petr Cech is the stand-in captain for the Blues, while Michael Owen is among the substitutes for his new club

Oscar will make his first Premier League start for Chelsea after his goalscoring heroics against Juventus in midweek, while Petr Cech takes the captain's armband with John Terry and Frank Lampard on the bench.

Roberto Di Matteo has elected for a strong team following their disappointment of letting a two-goal lead slip against the Italian side, with a midfield duo of Ramires and John Obi Mikel backing up an attacking line of Juan Mata, Oscar, Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres.

Stoke, meanwhile, continue with Jonathan Walters and Peter Crouch up front, with Steven N'Zonzi making his second appearance for the club in midfield, as Michael Owen continues on the bench.

Asmir Begovic continues in goal, with Geoff Cameron at right-back and Marc Wilson on the opposite flank, and a familiar defensive duo of Ryan Shawcross and former Chelsea centre-back Robert Huth.

Charlie Adam and Michael Kightly join N'Zonzi in the midfield, with Glenn Whelan the only player of the four who was at the club last season.

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Ramires, Mikel; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres.

Subs: Turnbull, Azpilicueta, Terry, Bertrand, Romeu, Lampard, Moses.

Stoke City: Begovic; Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson; Kightly, Whelan, Adam, N'Zonzi; Walters, Crouch.

Subs: Sorensen, Upson, Shotton, Whitehead, Etherington, Owen, Jones.