Graham Potter has ruled out at least four first-team players from Chelsea’s trip to Selhurst Park, with Marc Cucurella and Edouard Mendy absent.
Graham Potter gears up for his first Premier League game as Chelsea manager but will have to contend without at least four first-team stars against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The former Brighton & Hove Albion boss started his reign with a hard-fought draw with Red Bull Salzburg, and now he will have to re-calibrate the Blues for a Premier League challenge.
Chelsea will be without a host of first-team stars, including Edouard Mendy, Carney Chukwuemeka, N’Golo Kante and Marc Cucurella. In his pre-match press conference, Potter confirmed those absentees and said, “They’re not available. They’re absolutely fine in terms of coming through the rehab stages. NG has been on the grass with the team but not in full training.”
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“Edou is a bit further on but hasn’t had enough to be involved at the weekend. Maybe next week for him.” On Cucurella and Chukwuemeka, the Chelsea boss revealed that the duo will miss out due to illness, adding, “We’ve got a bit of illness with Marc Cucurella and Carney.”
With Cucurella absent, Potter will have to bring Ben Chilwell in at left-wing back, considering he will retain a back-three setup. Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva and Wesley Fofana will be tasked with central defensive duties. The manager will also have Cesar Azpilicueta as an option but may not field the veteran at the back.
Reece James is the obvious choice at right wing-back, while Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic will resume their central midfield duties. In Kante’s absence, the duo will be Potter’s best bet, although Chelsea also have Denis Zakaria, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek as options.
As for the offensive unit, Raheem Sterling is a sure starter on the left-hand side of the front three. Potter may opt to hand Mason Mount a slot on the right flank but will decide on starting either Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Kai Havertz to lead the line for Chelsea against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Aubameyang, Sterling
Yeah its a good lineup hope they will the best