Graham Potter has been left with no easy task in selecting his Chelsea starting lineup to face Crystal Palace having had a limited time to bond and mix with his squad in the build-up. The postponement of games against Fulham and Liverpool allowed some time for getting acquainted and a behind-closed-doors game against Brighton for the Blues' head coach to assess those players who had not featured against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League.
There's no doubting that the international break came at an inopportune moment for the new coaching staff, with the logistics of players returning perhaps entering his consideration for their fitness to play at Selhurst Park, as much as their ability. Potter however, has seen his options cut via illness and injury with the likes of N'Golo Kante and Kepa Arrizabalaga not yet ready to take to the pitch.
Potter noted in his press conference: "They're absolutely fine in terms of coming through their rehab stages. NG has just been on the grass with the team but not full training. Eddie is a bit further on but hasn't had enough to be involved at the weekend really. Maybe next week for him. A bit of illness for Marc Cucurella and Carney, apart from that everybody is fit."
