Thiago Silva and Mason Mount dropped as Conor Gallagher gets opportunity: Chelsea line up to face Crystal Palace for Graham Potter’s first Premier League match in charge
Graham Potter has some big decisions to make when he names his first Premier League XI as Chelsea manager.
The former Brighton boss will take charge of the Blues for the first time in the English top-flight when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday.
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Potter, who replaced Thomas Tuchel at the helm earlier this month, could only manage a 1-1 draw in his first match against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League.
The result meant his side stay bottom of the group E with one point, having previously lost 1-0 away to Dinamo Zagreb on matchday one.
Potter’s priority is to now get his team fit and firing domestically, with a top-four place in the Premier League the main target.
During the 2021/22 season, Potter used 13 different systems of play at Brighton, the most of any Premier League head coach, to keep rivals guessing.
For the clash at Selhurst Park, he is likely to start with Senegal international Edouard Mendy in goal, who has returned from injury after Kepa Arrizabalaga deputised against Salzburg.
Thiago Silva’s error against Salzburg could see him dropped and a back three of the Cesar Azpilicueta, new signing Wesley Fofana and former Brighton star Marc Cucurella may form the defence.
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It means ex-Napoli talisman Kalidou Koulibaly would also be forced to settle for a place on the bench.
Raheem Sterling was deployed in a role which Potter described as left-wing-back against Salzburg and is likely to continue there.
Potter would often put Leandro Trossard in that position at Brighton, although the Belgian had little responsibility in defence.
Sterling was not inhibited by this unusual role against the Austrian champions, enjoying eight touches in the opposition box and putting his team ahead on the night.
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Reece James is certain to start on the opposite flank at right-wing back, with both Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic retaining their places in the middle.
Conor Gallagher, who spent last season on loan with the Eagles, could come in either side of the two, replacing Mason Mount.
Mount has yet to score or register an assist for the Blues so far this season, although he did equalise for England in the 3-3 draw against Germany.
Potter will mostly likely ask his central midfielders and wide attackers to step forward and pressurise opponents with greater frequency, meaning more shots on goal.
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Interestingly, Brighton are joint leaders for shots from high turnovers, with 10. Potter’s new team have just five by comparison.
The front two is likely to see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz lead the line.
Aubameyang is yet to score for the Blues since his summer move from Barcelona, but Potter could well keep the faith in the experienced Gabon forward.
Havertz is another who is struggling for form, with just one goal so far this campaign.
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The Germany international netted 14 times last season, and is a shadow of himself thus far – but two goals against England could see him rejuvenated.
Potter does have Armando Broja waiting in the wings, with the Albanian ace notching nine goals last season on-loan at Southampton, and keen to make his mark once again.
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September 29, 2022 at 11:36PM Premier League Table, Fixtures, News, Results, Opinion - talkSPORT https://ift.tt/UDxXTMk
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