Chelsea will play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon in their return to Premier League action....CONTINUE READING
The encounter will be Potter’s first in the tournament since taking over as Blues manager from Thomas Tuchel earlier this month.
Chelsea has had a mediocre start to the season, collecting 10 points from their first six Premier League games and now sitting seventh in the rankings.
Chelsea have not played since their 1-1 Champions League tie against Red Bull Salzburg on September 14 at Stamford Bridge.
Following the Queen’s death earlier this month, their final two Premier League games against Fulham and Liverpool were postponed.
Potter hasn’t said if any Chelsea players got hurt during the international break, and it’s not clear if goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (knee) or midfielder N’Golo Kante (thigh) have fully recovered from their previous injuries.
Assuming that both players are still out, Potter is likely to use a 3-5-2 formation on Saturday afternoon against Palace.
If Mendy’s knee is still hurting, Kepa Arrizabalaga will stay in goal and have a chance to make a good impression on Potter.
The team’s captain, Cesar Azpilicueta, will probably play on the right side of the back three, with Thiago Silva or Wesley Fofana in the middle. Marc Cucurella, who played for Brighton under Potter, is likely to stay in the back three on the left side.
Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, and Mason Mount are Potter’s favoured midfielders. The latter scored England’s second goal in Monday’s 3-3 tie with Germany.
Reece James started England’s last international at right wing-back and should do so against Palace. Raheem Sterling began on the other wing against Salzburg.
Ben Chilwell is set to replace Sterling. Potter may utilise Cucurella’s offensive abilities by deploying Kalidou Koulibaly or Fofana on the left of the defence three.
Palace hasn’t played since a September 3 goalless draw at Newcastle. After winning only one of their first six league games, Patrick Vieira’s squad is 16th in the standings, two points above the relegation zone.
Palace is without Nathan Ferguson, Jack Butland, James McArthur, and James Tomkins. Wilfried Zaha, Jordan Ayew, Eberechi Eze, Jeffery Schlupp, and Joachim Andersen will be counted on by Vieira.
