Christopher Nkunku And Thiago Silva To Start; Conor Gallagher Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Palace

Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup last week has set the standard for performances between now and the end of the season.

It demonstrated what this team is really capable of when they play at their best. Unfortunately, for manager Mauricio Pochettino, such displays have been few and far between during his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues boss will be hoping that the Villa game is the shot in the arm the squad needs to put together a consistent run of results in the coming weeks and months.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for the game against Crystal Palace on Monday night.

GK – Djordje Petrovic

Robert Sanchez has still not returned to full training yet as he continues to build up his fitness following a knee injury.

The Spanish international has not played for two months, having been substituted late on during the 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park back in December.

Petrovic has excelled in Sanchez’s absence, having put together a string of good performances.

The Serbian did very little wrong against Villa last week and he could nothing about Moussa Diaby’s goal, which went in off the post.

RB – Malo Gusto

The Frenchman excelled down the right flank at Villa Park, delivering a sublime ball for Nicolas Jackson to score Chelsea’s second.

Gusto may only be 20 years of age but he seems to be a very quick learner, having already begun to improve the defensive side of his game.

Of course, his main strengths still lie in the final third of the pitch, but Pochettino can trust him to play as part of a back four without worrying too much about whether he can cope with the opposition winger.

With captain Reece James out until April, Gusto will be looking to stay fit and establish himself as a key starter.

CB – Thiago Silva

There was a bit of a furore last week after the Brazilian’s wife seemingly criticised Pochettino on social media.

After Silva was left out of the starting eleven against Villa, there was even more talk about a potential falling out between the defender and his manager.

However, Silva was always going to be rested for the FA Cup tie as, at 39 years of age, he can’t play every few days.

In any case, the centre-back’s wife did decide to apologise and nothing more needs to be said on the matter.

CB – Axel Disasi

Benoit Badiashile picked up a groin problem in the victory against Villa and he is not expected to be fit for the trip to Selhurst Park.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Pochettino said that the 22-year-old will undergo a scan.

With Badiashile seemingly ruled out for the Palace game, Diasi is likely to be partnered with Silva.

The duo do seem to have a better understanding than other centre-half pairings that Pochettino has tried this campaign.

LB – Ben Chilwell

The vice-captain is gradually rediscovering his best form, having had some difficulties following his comeback from a serious hamstring injury.

Chilwell did not cover himself in glory during the defeats to Liverpool and Wolves, but he looked more like his old self at Villa Park.

Levi Colwill could be back available after recovering from his own hamstring problem that has kept him out of the last four games.

Even so, Pochettino may keep faith with Chilwell, who can offer a lot more in forward areas.

CM – Moises Caicedo

After some loose early touches versus Villa last week, the Ecuadorian grew into the game and helped Chelsea secure a huge win.

Caicedo has the technical ability and work rate to be a world-class holding midfielder, but he has struggled with his form at times since arriving from Brighton.

The 22-year-old clearly needed a bedding-in period and fans will be hoping that now he is settled, they will see the best of him.

If Caicedo dominates the midfield against Palace, it will give the Blues a great platform to pick up the three points.

CM – Enzo Fernandez

Not much more needs to be said about the Argentinian international’s performance against Villa.

That was the sort of display that supporters were expecting from Fernandez on a consistent basis following his arrival from Benfica at the start of last year.

For one reason or another, we have only seen flashes of the 23-year-old’s best over the last 13 months.

As is the case with the rest of the team, if Fernandez can maintain the level he showed at Villa Park, Chelsea will shoot up the table.

AM – Christopher Nkunku

This will be a tough decision for Pochettino, who would have been impressed with Conor Gallagher’s contributions last time out.

The England international opened the scoring versus Villa and showed the customary work rate that we have come to expect from him.

However, with Nkunku primed to return to the starting eleven, you do feel that Gallagher should be the one to make way.

Nkunku is not a No.9, as we saw against Wolves, and the Frenchman’s best position is playing slightly deeper, where Gallagher is usually deployed.

RW – Noni Madueke

Something has definitely clicked for the winger in recent weeks, and Pochettino is rewarding him with game time as a result.

Madueke was a constant menace down the right flank against Villa and, if he can produce more of an end product, he has the makings of a great wide player.

There was one particular moment in the first half at Villa Park, where he nearly ran the length of the pitch, which demonstrates he is a massive talent.

Pochettino has been trying to channel it in the right direction and it seems we are beginning to see that work bearing fruit now.

CF – Cole Palmer

The 21-year-old hasn’t been at his most effective as a false nine, but we may see him there again at Selhurst Park.

Palmer is sacrificing himself for the team in some ways, as his runs into deeper areas allow the likes of Madueke and Nicolas Jackson more space to run into.

With Palace expected to sit deep, dragging their centre-backs out of position and getting into the half-spaces will be crucial to opening them up.

Palmer’s movement off the ball may not get him a lot of plaudits but it could prove very important to securing a result on Monday evening.

LW – Nicolas Jackson

The Senegalese international seems to have more freedom when asked to play out wide, rather than being tasked with leading the line.

Jackson played a key role in the first two goals against Villa, with his run in the build-up to Gallagher’s opener, as well as scoring himself with a header from Gusto’s cross for the second.

Palace have recently signed a new right-back in Daniel Munoz, but the Colombian international got off to an inauspicious start on his debut, with the Eagles conceding four versus rivals Brighton.

For that reason, Pochettino may feel that putting Jackson up against the defender to test him is the right call.