Chelsea are preparing to start the new season with a game against Crystal Palace coming up on Sunday afternoon.
There is a lot of optimism at Stamford Bridge after a summer where they won the Club World Cup, and also signed the likes of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens to improve Enzo Maresca‘s attack.
They face a Palace side that won the Community Shield against Liverpool in their last game, and so won’t provide an easy test. The likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze could give the Blues some issues, but Maresca will hope that his side can overcome the Eagles and start the season off to a perfect start.
Going into the game, Chelsea could be without six players due to injury and suspensions, which means Maresca may have some tricky decisions to make.
Chelsea players ruled out
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The Blues have already seen four players ruled out of the game against Palace on Sunday. Firstly, winger Mykhalio Mudryk remains out as he is suspended. Striker Nicolas Jackson is also suspended due to the red card he picked up in the Club World Cup.
Furthermore, Midfielder Romeo Lavia is expected to miss the game too, as the Belgian is dealing with an injury. He is working to return to full fitness, but isn’t ready yet.
Lavia is in a similar position to Benoit Badiashile, who won’t be ready to play in the game against Palace, with Maresca recently saying: “Benoit (Badiashile) is in the process of coming back. Romeo (Lavia) is the same.” The pair could return for Chelsea’s second game against West Ham next weekend.
Two players in doubt for Palace game
Two Chelsea players are currently being assessed ahead of the game as to whether they will be fit enough to play. Firstly, centre-back Trevoh Chalobah is expected to play, despite the fact that he’s recovering from a minor knock.
The other name in doubt is centre-back Wesley Fofana, who missed the back end of last season with a hamstring injury. Maresca said: “He could be available. We will see.”
Click here to see Chelsea’s first team squad ahead of the new season starting on Sunday.