Chelsea head into their clash against Crystal Palace looking to arrest their poor form that has seen them just win once in nine attempts. It will be no easy task for Graham Potter, who has limited availability of players once again to make his selection from.
New signing Joao Felix appeared to spark some life into Chelsea against Fulham but will not see his first outing at Stamford Bridge until next month after being sent off at Craven Cottage. It was clear Potter was disappointed to be without his new charge.
In his pre-match press conference he said: “Of course, we’re disappointed because he came here to play, he came on loan to play. You saw his quality when he was on the pitch [against Fulham]. To lose him for three games is a real blow for us but there’s nothing we can do. We just have to deal with it.”
READ MORE: Gabriel Slonina plan becomes clear as Andrey Santos' first Chelsea steps delayed
Felix being ruled out of the game against the Eagles was part of a double blow for Chelsea, however. Potter saw his injury list lengthened when Denis Zakaria had to leave the pitch with injury to his quadricep after clearing the ball. Chelsea will therefore be without 11 players for the clash.
“We have to recover," Potter added. "We have to recover from the disappointment of the game [against Fulham]. We have to assess all the players in terms of recovery and injury, whatever we have. Then we have to be positive, move forward and take a home game on. It’s another London derby against a team with dangerous players. So we have to be good ourselves and prepare the team.”
Kepa Arrizabalaga made an error to allow Fulham's winning goal but with Edouard Mendy having recently undergone surgery, the Spaniard remains the favourite to guard Chelsea's net this weekend. Likewise, Chelsea's backline did not have its finest day against the Cottagers, perhaps leaving a number of players at risk of being dropped.
Thiago Silva is close to certain to start, while Kalidou Koulibaly has started every game since domestic football's return. The Senegal international has struggled for form despite his goal against Fulham and that could hand Potter the opportunity to provide Benoit Badiashile with his Chelsea debut.
Cesar Azpilicueta is likely to start on the right side of defence, with the Blues still hoping to sign some support for the injured Reece James this month. Blues boss Potter will have a difficult choice to make between Lewis Hall and Marc Cucurella on the left should he opt for a return to a back four.
Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic appear likely to start given the absences of Zakaria and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Conor Gallagher will be pushing for a start against the team he spent last season on loan with. He will likely have to displace the out of form Mason Mount to do so.
Potter appeared to favour Kai Havertz leading the forward line as Chelsea chased the game against Fulham. The 47-year-old chose to leave strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and David Datro Fofana on the bench for the duration at Craven Cottage.
Meanwhile, Hakim Ziyech and Carney Chukwuemeka could find themselves as prime candidates to support the German internationals with both Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic ruled out.
Predicted XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Silva, Badaishile, Cucurella; Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount; Ziyech, Havertz, Chukwuemeka.
READ NEXT:
Shakhtar make major Mykhaylo Mudryk Chelsea transfer announcement with agreement 'very close
'Shakhtar Donetsk offer Chelsea cryptic Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer hint amid Arsenal bid 'hijack'
Joao Felix mistake leaves Graham Potter facing unenviable Chelsea decision vs Crystal Palace
Graham Potter already knows two tweaks he can make to rediscover Chelsea form vs Crystal Palace
Six Chelsea stars at risk of transfer departure as Todd Boehly reaffirms Graham Potter backing
