Chelsea will need to start the game a lot better than they did against Crystal Palace on Monday night if they want to get anything out of the match versus Manchester City this weekend.
The Blues were woeful in the first 45 minutes at Selhurst Park and it took a tactical change by manager Mauricio Pochettino at the interval to turn things around.
It will be a daunting task going to the Etihad Stadium, with the reigning champions having now won 11 games in a row in all competitions.
Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting eleven to play City on Saturday evening.
GK – Djordje Petrovic
The Serbian was actually criticised for his positioning in the build-up to Jefferson Lerma’s goal against Palace.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville raised the point in commentary, while Chelsea legend Petr Cech agreed with him.
However, Lerma’s strike was excellent and it would have been a magnificent save from Petrovic if he had managed to keep it out.
In the end, the goal didn’t end up costing the Blues, who came roaring back in the second half.
RB – Malo Gusto
There was some concern that the Frenchman had picked up yet another injury versus Palace.
Gusto had to be substituted late on in the second half at Selhurst Park, with Alfie Gilchrist replacing him.
However, when asked about the 20-year-old’s fitness after the match, Pochettino played down concerns by saying that the fullback was simply suffering from fatigue.
If that is the case then Gusto should be fit and ready to start at the Etihad this weekend.
CB – Axel Disasi
With Thiago Silva having picked up a groin problem against the Eagles, it means Chelsea are now down to three fit centre-backs.
Benoit Badiashile has sustained a groin injury himself, while Wesley Fofana is still in rehab as he continues his recovery from an ACL.
Trevoh Chalobah is ready for action but he hasn’t made an appearance this season so asking him to start against City would be too much to ask.
For that reason, Disasi will remain in the starting lineup to take on Pep Guardiola’s side.
CB – Levi Colwill
The 20-year-old was rushed back into action against Palace, having only just recovered from a hamstring issue.
Colwill then seemed to pick up another problem after coming on at Selhurst Park. He was seen hobbling after a collision with an opposition player.
It was likely only a knock, though, and he is the most likely to partner Disasi in the centre of defence this weekend if Silva is ruled out.
Whoever plays at the back will be up against it, though, with Erling Haaland, the in-form Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne all expected to play.
LB – Ben Chilwell
The vice-captain hasn’t been in great form since his return from a serious hamstring injury.
Chilwell was decent against Middlesbrough in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, and he performed well in the FA Cup fourth-round replay versus Aston Villa too.
However, he didn’t make a great impression at Selhurst Park, as he struggled to handle Palace winger Jordan Ayew.
Chilwell also looked reluctant to get forward and he didn’t really do much in the final third. A much better display will be required against City.
CM – Moises Caicedo
After being a bundle of energy in the victory over Villa, the Ecuadorian didn’t cover nearly as much ground versus Palace.
Caicedo was partially at fault for giving the ball away for Lerma’s opener, and he simply wasn’t up to the speed of the game.
Things improved significantly in the second half but he still needs to show that he merits the £115m outlay.
Some question whether Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are compatible in midfield based on their performances since the start of the season. While there have been games where they have complimented each other well, there have been many more where they have struggled to link up effectively.
CM – Enzo Fernandez
It’s fair to say that his first-half performance at Selhurst Park was up there with the worst he has put in since moving to Chelsea.
Fernandez struggled to find teammates with his passes, and he seemed to wander out of position on a regular basis.
Something definitely changed at half-time, and he looked much more like the player who got the Player of the Match award against Villa.
If Fernandez starts slowly against City, the Premier League champions will make mincemeat out of him.
AM – Conor Gallagher
The 24-year-old has found his shooting boots from somewhere over the last couple of games.
Gallagher took both of his goals with aplomb against the Eagles, which does raise questions as to why he hasn’t scored more this campaign.
Confidence is definitely a factor and, if he does get another opportunity against City, you would bank him to put it away.
Of course, chances are likely to be premium on Saturday so Chelsea need to maintain the clinical edge they have shown in their last two fixtures.
RW – Cole Palmer
You hope that Pochettino has learned his lesson about utilising the 21-year-old as a false nine.
Palmer struggles to get into the match when asked to play the position, and all of his good work in the second half versus Palace came when he was switched to the right wing.
The ex-City player will be determined to make his mark against his former club this weekend.
Palmer has the ability to cause problems for any defence in the Premier League if he is deployed in the right areas of the pitch.
CF – Nicolas Jackson
After Pochettino binned the false-nine experiment at half-time against Palace, you would think that the Senegalese international will be switched from the left flank to his customary striker position at the Etihad.
Jackson may not get much service on Saturday, with the Cityzens likely to dominate possession.
It will be all about the counter-attack and, as mentioned already, it is imperative that Chelsea make the most of the chances that come their way.
Whether Jackson will be up to the challenge, we shall have to wait and see.
LW – Christopher Nkunku
Noni Madueke is a very inconsistent player. After starring in the FA Cup win versus Aston Villa, he was hauled off at half-time on Monday evening.
The winger is the most likely to be benched in favour of Nkunku for the clash against City.
Pochettino is clearly being careful with the Frenchman’s fitness but this is the perfect game to unleash him.
Nkunku has a good scorin
g record versus Guardiola’s team, having scored a hat-trick for RB Leipzig in a 6-3 defeat back in 2021.
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