Emerson makes his second start of the season at left-back and alongside him Andreas Christensen features for the first time since mid-October. Toni Rudiger is the other centre-back, with Cesar Azpilicueta returning on the right side of defence.

In midfield, Kovacic is joined by Kai Havertz and Jorginho, who makes his 100th Chelsea start.

There is also a milestone for Olivier Giroud – he is selected from the off for the 50th time in a Blues shirt. The French forward is flanked by Christian Pulisic, starting for the first time since picking up an injury in the warm-up at Burnley, and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

As reported by Frank Lampard, Billy Gilmour is in the matchday squad. Two players who are not are Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma, neither of whom made the trip to Spain.

For our hosts, pre-match injury doubts Luuk de Jong and Lucas Ocampos are on the bench. They make seven changes.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Mendy; Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Rudiger, Emerson; Kovacic, Jorginho, Havertz; Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Pulisic.

Subs: Kepa, Caballero, Tomori, James, Chilwell, Alonso, Kante, Gilmour, Mount, Werner, Ziyech, Abraham.

Sevilla (4-3-3): Vaclik; Jesus Navas (c), Sergi Gomez, Diego Carlos, Rekik; Rakitic, Gudelj, Oscar Rodriguez; Vazquez, En-Nesryi, Idrissi.

Subs: Gonzalez, Pastor, Ocampos, Jordan, De Jong, Munir, Kounde, Torres, Fernando, Zarzana, Vazquez, Romero.

The referee is Artur Dias.

Chelsea stats

Frank Lampard’s side are unbeaten in nine Champions League group matches since our home defeat to Valencia on matchday one last season (six wins, three draws).Chelsea are looking to win three consecutive away games in the Champions League for the first time since a run of five between September 2003 and April 2004.Chelsea have suffered only one defeat in our last 12 away matches against Spanish teams (three wins, eight draws), a 0-3 defeat to Barcelona in March 2018.