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Chelsea: Three things to look for against Crystal Palace

By Vansh Ambashta

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea and Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Tallis/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea and Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Tallis/Pool via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s English midfielder Mason Mount celebrates scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League first leg quarter final football match between FC Porto and Chelsea FC at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville on April 07, 2021. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s English midfielder Mason Mount celebrates scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League first leg quarter final football match between FC Porto and Chelsea FC at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville on April 07, 2021. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea is fresh off of a Champions League victory in Porto as they face Crystal Palace. What can the Blues look for against the Eagles?

1. Positive start and dominance

Chelsea had quite a poor start against West Brom, and we all know how that game panned out. With a system like Chelsea’s, it is essential to have a good start, keep the ball, and grow in confidence. Barring the second half in the second leg against Atletico Madrid, Chelsea hasn’t relied on counter-attacks often. Thomas Tuchel believes in playing out from the back and holding on to possession rather than trying outrageous passes (read: Hakim Ziyech).

It is a cautious approach that has worked till now, and there is no reason it won’t work this time. However, Chelsea should be the team running the show. Chelsea is a team that has barely conceded goals since Tuchel took over (except West Brom) and has been on a remarkable run. Chelsea needs to play with that arrogance and dominate the opposition.

Against Porto as well, there were a few nervy moments, and on another day, Chelsea could have easily lost the game as Porto. If Chelsea can start strong and dominate the Eagles on the ball, then that would already be a considerable achievement after that loss against West Brom. Moreover, the top four race is heating up with Liverpool finding results and West Ham being in the form of their lives. Chelsea needs to be careful and must remain confident to finish in the top four. It would be wrong to dwell on that loss for too long, and it is best to move on from it with a thumping and convincing performance against Crystal Palace.

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