Graham Potter will be eager to pick up the first win of his Chelsea tenure as Crystal Palace host the Blues at Selhurst Park. The former Brighton and Hove Albion boss will undoubtedly receive a hostile reception at the home of the Eagles, though he'll be hoping the west Londoners can spare his blushes.
Chelsea currently sit seventh in the Premier League on 10 points and remain some way from the Champions League qualification places, let alone rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal who sit in third and first respectively. The international break will have given Potter some time to not only assess the performances of his players away with their countries but, also work closely with the players who stayed at Cobham training ground.
One of whom was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is yet to find the net for Chelsea since joining from Barcelona on deadline day. But, even if the striker impressed, Armando Broja seems to have done enough to finally warrant a start...
READ MORE: 'Love Georgie Boy'- John Terry sends heartwarming Chelsea retirement message to John Obi Mikel
So, with that being said, football.london have taken a look at how Chelsea could lineup at the weekend as Vieira welcomes Potter to south London.
Front-three dilemma
Potter has a wealth of attacking options at his disposal, with many of whom climbing and slipping down the pecking order at Chelsea. Armando Broja has impressed when called upon for the Blues this season, namely his cameo off the bench against RB Salzburg in the Champions League.
The striker will likely be looking to start at least one of either the Palace or AC Milan fixtures, and the former could be the perfect opportunity for him to truly kickstart his campaign. With Broja starting, it leaves two vacant positions; left and right inside-forward.
Raheem Sterling is well poised to feature in the front-three, thought he did appear in a fluid left wing-back role in the clash prior to the international break. This leaves the right attacking position up for grabs, with Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Aubameyang and Christian Pulisic chomping at the bit.
The Germany international impressed for Hansi Flick's side when slipping into the No.10 role, which makes for an interesting thought. Havertz, who looks to have entered some great form, could do so again against Palace in a dynamic front-three.
N'Golo Kante risk
N'Golo Kante returned to training this week ahead of the London derby - though it's unlikely that he will be rushed back into the side. Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho both impressed for their respective countries and are well positioned to start.
Conor Gallagher scored a decisive goal for England Under-21s as they beat Germany 3-1. But the 22-year-old featured in an advanced role as opposed to in a pivot, potentially making him an option for Potter's front-three one day.
Strong backline chance
The clash against Palace could be the perfect chance to trial and test Chelsea's best backline - on paper. With Ben Chilwell at left wing-back, Marc Cucurella or Kalidou Koulibaly at left centre-back, Thiago Silva at centre-back, Wesley Fofana at right centre-back and Reece James at right wing-back, Potter could have a perfectly balanced defence which caters for both attacking and defensive duties.
Shot-stopper conundrum
Edouard Mendy found himself on the bench against Dinamo Zagreb due to a combination of a knee injury and the chance to give Kepa Arrizabalaga minutes. The Senegal international is in his worst run of form since joining Chelsea in 2020, though his quality can not be overlooked ahead of the Palace clash.
READ NEXT:
Edouard Mendy, N'Golo Kante: Chelsea injury news and updates ahead of Crystal Palace trip
Rio Ferdinand clashes with Chelsea legend as Reece James uses Ballon d'Or trick
Kai Havertz sends clear message to Graham Potter on Chelsea role with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
John Terry sends heartwarming Chelsea retirement message to John Obi Mikel
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
