Chelsea predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace - Premier League
By Tom Gott
The Premier League is back.
For Chelsea, the push for Premier League glory begins with a visit from Crystal Palace. Thomas Tuchel's men will be expecting a big win here to make their intentions to the rest of the league abundantly clear.
Here's how they should line up.
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Edouard Mendy (GK) - Kepa Arrizabalaga was the hero of the Super Cup shoot-out, but this is still Mendy's spot to lose.
Cesar Azpilicueta (CB) - Against Villarreal, Azpilicueta brought some much-needed calm at the back when he was brought on. A performance deserving of a start.
Andreas Christensen (CB) - Christensen didn't play much in pre-season but did manage the best part of an hour in midweek. With Thiago Silva yet to even play a minute, expect the Dane to take his spot.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) - After crunching through a few Villarreal attackers, Rudiger looks up for a fight this season.
2. Midfielders
Callum Hudson-Odoi (RM) - Hudson-Odoi didn't have his best game against Villarreal, but he should still start this one, although expect him to share the minutes with Reece James.
Jorginho (CM) - After an hour on Wednesday, Jorginho could step his return up with a start here.
Mateo Kovacic (CM) - N'Golo Kante is doubtful for the game after picking up a niggling injury in midweek, so we could have the return of the 'Jovacic' pivot.
Marcos Alonso (LM) - Alonso did surprisingly well at both ends of the field in the Super Cup and absolutely deserves to keep his place - a cause aided by the fact Ben Chilwell is yet to play a single minute.
Mason Mount (AM) - Mount enjoyed a well-deserved break this summer and is still looking to build up his fitness, but he did well enough against Villarreal to suggest he can keep going here.
Timo Werner (AM) - Hakim Ziyech had built up so much momentum in pre-season, but his shoulder injury means Werner is likely to keep his place in the squad... at least until a certain towering Belgian gets up to speed.
3. Forward
Kai Havertz (ST) - It was against Palace last season that Havertz really started to build up his wave of momentum. This could be the final appearance of false-nine Havertz for a while as he is likely to drop back into midfield when Romelu Lukaku rocks up.