Chelsea FC Predicted XI Against Crystal Palace

Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy Ignacio Magnato (15) defends Barcelona forward Pedro (7) in the first half of the game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy Ignacio Magnato (15) defends Barcelona forward Pedro (7) in the first half of the game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas

Needless to say, this will likely be the combination used once again on Saturday. Matic has been as solid as ever, and is just finding his feet in terms of passing range. There will be simply no moving the big man from his holding midfield role unless something untoward happens.

RELATED: Chelsea FC Transfer News: Blues Confident Of Paul Pogba Deal

Fabregas, meanwhile, has been awful so far and was awful again last week. He seems to have carried his poor form over from the end of last season and has looked completely overrun in places. Having said that, there is again a lack of depth at the centre-midfield position. If the boss doesn’t choose Cesc, he will have to call upon either John Obi Mikel or a young Ruben Loftus-Cheek to do the job.

Not very inspiring is it.

Mikel doesn’t work because Fabregas is in the creative role, while as much as I would like to see RLC involved, he needs to be properly bled into first-team football. There may be a case for him starting on Saturday, but don’t expect him to be feature continuously.

Hopefully Paul Pogba will arrive and shake things up a bit.

Next: Wings