Chelsea have been on a roll under their current boss Thomas Tuchel, winning the Champions League last season and then last week, they beat Villarreal in the Super Cup.
Now the Blues kick off their Premier League campaign this weekend when they face Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have one of the best squads in terms of squad depths and after the arrival of Romelu Lukaku, they are surely one of the favourites to win the Premier League title. Palace do not have the best of records against the Blues so Tuchel’s side should be picking up three points quite easily.
The manager named a really strong side in midweek against Villarreal so he is expected to rest a few of those who started in the Super Cup. Also, a few of them joined late due to their international endeavours and might not be fully fit to play against Palace.
Chelsea team news vs Crystal Palace:
Kepa was one of the heroes for Chelsea in midweek but he will start on the bench as Edouard Mendy is officially the number one for Chelsea.
Thiago Silva did not start in midweek so it’s safe to say he will start in central defence alongside Antonio Rudiger and Azpilicueta.
Marcos Alonso played the full game against Villarreal so Ben Chilwell is likely to play as the left full-back with Reece James playing on the other side.
Jorginho came on a sub in the Super Cup and since he was heavily involved with Italy in the European Championship, the midfielder could once again find himself on the bench as Kante and Kovacic pair up in midfield.
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Hakim Ziyech picked up a shoulder injury in midweek and will miss out this weekend so Mason Mount is likely to return to the starting line-up. The manager also has the option of using Christian Pulisic but the American is likely to come off the bench.
Chelsea have wrapped up the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan but according to a report in The Athletic, the forward will not be available for selection against Patrick Vieira’s side.
With Lukaku not ready to start, Timo Werner will lead the line against Palace but the German’s place in the side is under major threat now.
Chelsea’s predicted XI vs Palace:
Predicted XI: Mendy; Thiago Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Kante, Kovacic, Ben Chilwell, James; Havertz, Mount, Timo Werner.
