Chelsea at Palace: predicted XI, 3-5-2 for Potter?

Chelsea has not played a match for a very long time, considering the season. This may not be a particularly bad thing, as it gives Graham Potter more time with his players. These three weeks of no club football that he’s had with his team since taking over almost give him the benefit that taking over at the beginning of the season would’ve given him. He still needs to figure out what starting eleven he wants to go with, so here’s who Pride of London thinks will start the game against Crystal Palace.

Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga (No. 1) Goalkeeper, Spain

There’s nothing to suggest that Edouard Mendy is back from injury. Arrizabalaga has played two games this season and kept no clean sheets. Of course, the goal he conceded against Salzburg was quite embarrassing indeed. That goal though was a complete failure of more than three outfielders failing to get a tackle right, not much the Spaniard could have done at the point the ball came into the six-yard box.

Marc Cucurella (No. 32) Left centerback, Spain

Yes. He has played there once already and while it’s clear that the Salzburg starting lineup was not Potter’s permanent starting eleven for the rest of the season, it’s clear that some players will remain where they were put in that game. Cucurella’s passing was very good in that game, and his defensive awareness was also commendable, though he didn’t have much defending to do. He did make an incredible six tackles and two interceptions without getting dribbled past. That’s a lot for a player in a side that kept 72% of the ball on the night, don’t you think?