Premier League

Ziyech and Pulisic to feature? How Chelsea could line up versus Crystal Palace

The pair have been missing for the Blues at the start of the season, but could be in contention to feature on Saturday

9:45am on Friday 2nd October 2020
By Martin Macdonald

Chelsea will be looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing week.

Last Saturday in the Premier League, they put in a woeful defensive display to go into the break 3-0 down against West Brom. They rallied to eventually draw 3-3, but the frailties at the back, and the dodgy debut from Thiago Silva, will remain a huge concern for Frank Lampard.

Following that, they were knocked out of the League Cup midweek by rivals Tottenham on penalties, with Mason Mount missing the deciding spotkick.

Two positives did emerge from that evening, though.

Timo Werner scored his first goal for the club, while new signing Edouard Mendy looked assured between the sticks.

Expect the goalkeeper to be given his Premier League debut against Palace.

Lampard and Chelsea have been boosted by the return to full training of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic, both of whom are yet to feature in the league this campaign.

However, it is unlikely they will be thrown into the starting XI right away, so expect a cameo from the bench depending on the scoreline.

With the international break coming up, Lampard may just opt to keep the pair out of the fold at the moment to give them extra time to get to full fitness.

Bill Gilmour is a long-term absentee, while it is unlikely Antonio Rudiger or Marcos Alonso will feature after being linked with a move away from Chelsea before the end of the transfer window.