Chelsea vs Norwich team news: Kenedy, Cesc Fabregas and Branislav Ivanovic start for Blues

Cesar Azpilicueta drops to the bench

(GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has handed a shock start to Kenedy at left-back, dropping Cesar Azpilicueta to the bench.

The Spaniard had started ever game of the season so far and has been a regular in the team since replacing Ashley Cole in the starting XI at the end of 2013.

Mourinho has also welcomes back Branislav Ivanovic to the team, the Serbian last played for the Blues on 3 October after picking up an injury while on international duty.

Cesc Fabregas is back alongside Nemanja Matic in midfield after starting the last two Premier League games on the bench.

For Norwich City, Alex Neill has made three changes to the team that beat Swansea last time out.

Yousouff Mulumbu comes in for Alex Tettey in midfield, Nathan Redmond for Wes Hoolahan on the wing and Dieumerci Mbokani for Cameron Jerome as the lone striker

Chelsea have endured the worst start of the Roman Abramovich era and currently sit 16th in the Premier League after picking up just 11 points in their opening 12 matches.

They have just one win in their last six Premier League matches, against bottom side Aston Villa on 17 October, and only two other clubs have a worse defensive record so far this season.

Norwich currently sit a place above Chelsea in the table after their win against Swansea on 7 November halted a four-game losing streak.

LINE-UPS:

Chelsea: Begovic, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Kenedy, Matic, Fabregas, Pedro, Willian, Hazard, Costa

Subs: Blackman, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ramires, Oscar, Traore, Remy.

Norwich City: Ruddy; Wisdom, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Howson, Mulumbu, O'Neil , Brady; Redmond; Mbokani.

Subs: Rudd, Whittaker, Jerome, Hoolahan, Dorrans, Lafferty, Odjidja.