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Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

Reading vs. Chelsea: Lineups

Ross Turnbull and Fernando Torres both start for Chelsea as they face Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

It's a highly unconventional lineup chosen by Rafael Benitez for Chelsea: Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic are the centre-back pairing, with David Luiz injured and John Terry still not returning to the starting eleven. Ryan Bertrand also starts on the wing, with Ramires and Frank Lampard forming an unusual double-pivot in midfield. Juan Mata and Oscar are the other names making up the Chelsea midfield.

Reading line up largely as expected, with summer signing Stephen Kelly at right-back, and Jobi McAnuff and Jimmy Kebe on the flanks with Pavel Pogrebnyak up front alone.

Reading (4-5-1): Adam Federici; Ian Harte, Alex Pearce, Adrian Mariappa, Stephen Kelly; Mikele Leigertwood, Danny Guthrie, Jem Karacan, Jobi McAnuff, Jimmy Kebe; Pavel Pogrebnyak.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Ross Turnbull, Ashley Cole, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic, Cesar Azpilicueta; Ramires, Frank Lampard;Ryan Bertrand, Juan Mata, Oscar; Fernando Torres.

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