David Luiz Poised for Second Chelsea Debut at Swansea

David Luiz could make his first appearance for Chelsea since his Deadline Day transfer from Paris St Germain in today’s Super Sunday clash with Swansea. Luiz completed a £34m move back to Stamford Bridge on August 31 and is available for the Premier League clash at the Liberty Stadium.

The Brazilian’s return opens up the option for Antonio Conte to play three at the back, a tactic he favoured during his managerial spells in Italy.

“I think David Luiz is a centre-back, he’s played a lot of games in that position,” Conte told Chelsea TV. “I know sometimes he’s played as a central midfielder but in my mind the idea is to utilise him in the right position which, for me, is centre-back.

Meanwhile, Swansea hope record signing Borja Baston will feature for the first time, though the striker has struggled with a thigh injury since his £15.5m move from Atletico Madrid. Baston could make the bench alongside new central defender Alfie Mawson, who joined from Barnsley in a £5m deal just before the transfer deadline.

Wales full-back Neil Taylor is included in a Premier League squad for the first time this season following his extended post-Euro 2016 break and Jefferson Montero is available despite his late return from international duty with Ecuador.

For Chelsea, left-back Marcos Alonso comes into contention after joining from Fiorentina, but defender Kurt Zouma remains sidelined with a knee problem.

Swansea’s 1-0 win in this fixture last season was their first league victory and clean sheet in 12 games against the Blues, since a 3-0 win in April 1981. Chelsea have scored more goals against Swansea than any other Premier League side has (21). Since beating Chelsea 1-0 in April, the Swans have kept just one clean sheet in eight Premier League games.

Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Diego Costa has scored more Premier League goals against Swansea than any other opponent he has faced (five). Costa has either scored or assisted in each of his last five Premier League games for the Blues.

In each of their title winning seasons, Chelsea won their opening four games of the Premier League campaign (2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10 and 2014/15), so a win today will be a good omen regarding their chances of reclaiming the Premier League tit;e after a disastrous title defence saw them finish in 10th place last season.