In the end, though, Grant has opted for the creative skills of Cole, while on the other side of the three-pronged forward line Florent Malouda looks certain to be preferred to Salomon Kalou.
Although the teams made light of the newly-laid pitch at Luzhniki Stadium, privately there is concern in both camps about it.
There are bare patches and one insider described the surface as "rubbish".
"I've heard it's not bedded in too well but it's the same for both sides," said Chelsea captain John Terry. But a UEFA spokesman said: "At this stage we are confident it will be fine."
