Swansea vs Chelsea team news: Alexandre Pato makes first start for Blues, Thibaurt Courtois dropped

Begovic last started in the Premier League in November

(2016 Getty Images)

Guus Hiddink has made a major statement to Chelsea No 1 Thibaut Courtois after dropping the goalkeeper for the match at Swansea City.

The Dutchman has reinstated Asmir Begovic for the first time in the Premier League since Courtois was injured - the Bosnian has not started since 29 November.

The change in goalkeeper is one of three changes made by Hiddink to the team that beat Aston Villa 4-0 last week.

Alexandre Pato will make his first start since joining Chelsea after an excellent subsitute appearance at Villa Park last week.

The on-loan Brazilian, who could move to Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal, had a hand in all four goals and scored from the penalty spot.

The other change sees Kenedy drop back to the bench and Oscar return to the starting XI.

Chelsea also have three youth team teenagers on the bench in right-back Ola Aina and midfielders Charlie Colkett and Kaey Palmer.

For the home side Francisco Guidolin has made four changes.

Neil Taylor for swaps with Kyle Naughton at left-back, while Andre Ayew, Jerfferson Montero and Alberto Paloschi see a revamped forward line.

Out go Leon Britton, Wayne Routledge and Bafetimbi Gomis.

TEAM NEWS

Swansea City: Fabianski, Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor, Cork, Fer, Sigurdsson, Ayew, Montero, Paloschi.

Subs: Nordfeldt, Naughton, Amat, Ki, Barrow, Routledge, Gomis.

Chelsea: Begovic; Azpilicueta, Miazga, Ivanovic (c), Baba Rahman; Mikel, Fabregas; Pedro, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar; Pato.

Subs: Courtois, Aina, Kenedy, Colkett, Palmer, Traore, Falcao.