Everton v Chelsea @ Goodison Park
Saturday September 12 @ 12.45pm
Jose Mourinho will have to do without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as Chelsea look to kick-start their season at Everton on Saturday.
The Blues have taken just four points from four games this campaign and travel to Merseyside eager to resurrect their form after the international break.
But Courtois was injured in training this week and Mourinho confirmed his number one is set to be on the sidelines for some time, with Asmir Begovic set to come in.
All eyes will be on new signing Pedro as the pressure piles on for him to live up to his £21million price tag after his switch from Barcelona last month.
The Spaniard scored on his debut in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion in August, and his manager will be looking to him to add several more as his side attempt to jump back up the Premier League table.
Everton fans will look to voice their elation at Chelsea’s inability to land John Stones, the Toffees centre-back who was widely expected to sign for the Blues during the transfer window but Everton refused to sell.
The 21-year-old goes into the game fresh from international duty after featuring in both of England’s wins over San Marino and Switzerland this week.
Roberto Martinez’s side have made a solid start to their third season under their Spanish manager, sitting in ninth place after five points from their first four games.
Ramiro Funes Mori, Everton’s most expensive signing of the transfer window, looks set to make his debut after a spate of injuries hit the Toffees’ camp.
Tom Cleverley sustained ankle ligament damage against Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago, while Bryan Oviedo (knee) is also a doubt after pulling out of Costa Rica’s friendly with Uruguay on Tuesday.
