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Chelsea predicted XI vs. Crystal Palace: Deploy the trusty 4-2-3-1

By Gabe Henderson

Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz (R) celebrates with Chelsea's English striker Tammy Abraham (L) and Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (R) after scoring his team's fourth goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz (R) celebrates with Chelsea's English striker Tammy Abraham (L) and Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (R) after scoring his team's fourth goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s German midfielder Kai Havertz (2R) is tackled by Brighton’s English midfielder Solly March during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on September 14, 2020. (Photo by PETER CZIBORRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s German midfielder Kai Havertz (2R) is tackled by Brighton’s English midfielder Solly March during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on September 14, 2020. (Photo by PETER CZIBORRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

N’Golo Kante (No. 7) Central midfielder, France

N’Golo Kante is finally fully fit and that’s music to the ears of Chelsea fans everywhere. The Frenchman brings a little something to the side none of his teammates can. He’s the perfect blend of pace, power and technical abilities, packed into a 5-foot-6 figure. Under Lampard, he has returned to his more natural defensive midfield position and it’s worked fairly well. However, due to the ever-changing personnel and the different formations chosen under the gaffer, it will take a bit of time to return to flawless execution. But when Lampard hammers out all the kinks in the double pivot of the 4-2-3-1, he and Mateo Kovacic will form one of the best defensive midfield duos in Europe.

Mateo Kovacic (No. 17) Central midfielder, Croatia

Kovacic looks to be Kante’s box-to-box midfield partner during the 2020/21 campaign. He’s not had the best start to the season, hitting a bit of a rough patch after his Chelsea Player of the Season spell last year. However, he’s not been as bad as advertised. In the end, he’s been scapegoated due to his lack of offensive production, but make no mistake, the Croatian will be one of the team’s more vital players this season. He gets the nod in this match due to his experience and his capabilities off the ball. Kovacic’s impressive work rate allows for Chelsea’s No. 10 to play a move free role without having to worry about the fragility of the defense.

Kai Havertz (No. 29) Attacking midfielder, Germany

As players like Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech work their way back to full match fitness, there is no player who will be more delighted than Kai Havertz. Havertz has spent a significant amount of time out on the right wing and even as a second striker early in the season. Although he’s able to play in those areas, his best position is in attacking midfield. That’s where he starts in this one.

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