Palmer To Start, Gallagher On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Take On Bournemouth

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping the international break can act as a reset button after a difficult start to the season.

While there have been some promising signs in the performances that the Blues have put in, two defeats from four games is not a great beginning to his reign as manager.

This weekend’s opponents, Bournemouth, have not won a league game under new boss Andoni Iraola but, don’t let results fool you, they have been very competitive in all of the fixtures they’ve played so far. This won’t be a straightforward match.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for the game this weekend.

GK – Robert Sanchez

It will be interesting to see how long Pochettino keeps faith with the Spaniard.

Sanchez has not looked like a safe pair of hands so far, and he will need to show his value to the team with some improved performances between now and the next international break.

Another summer signing, Djordje Petrovic, is waiting for his chance on the bench and fans will be keen to find out how the Serbian performs.

Sanchez will probably be handed the gloves, at least until the Carabao Cup third-round tie against Brighton at the end of this month.

RWB – Malo Gusto

With Reece James closing in on his return to full fitness, Gusto will know he has limited time to establish himself as a regular starter.

The Frenchman was one of the few players who performed well in the defeat to Nottingham Forest last time out and he is doing all he can to impress whilst James is sidelined.

Gusto’s 2 assists in 5 appearances is a more than decent return and he will be looking to make a number of forays down the right flank at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

He will be going up against Milos Kerkez, who is a relatively inexperienced left-back so the Chelsea wingback should get some joy.

CB – Axel Disasi

The centre-half actually put in a decent display against Forest after having a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge.

Players do need time to adapt and it will be hoped that Disasi can be solid and reliable for the Blues going forward.

There have been some concerns about his positioning and his lack of speed. However, he wasn’t phased when he came up against a physical forward like Taiwo Awoniyi.

It’s a good sign that Disasi is already getting used to the rough and tumble of the Premier League, and, hopefully, he won’t be bullied in any upcoming matches.

CB – Thiago Silva

There has been some talk that the Brazilian could be dropped with Benoit Badiashile close to returning to full fitness.

Silva hasn’t performed well at the start of this season, and he was undoubtedly at fault for Forest’s winner last time out.

However, as one of the few players with any experience in this Chelsea squad, you should not be benching him after just a few below-par performances.

Badiashile will need time to get up to the speed anyway having missed the whole of pre-season.

CB – Levi Colwill

It’s hard not to be excited about the 20-year-old after a very impressive start to the season.

Colwill is calmness personified on the ball, setting up attacks with some pinpoint passes.

You do get the feeling, though, that he would prefer to play more infield, rather than this hybrid role that Pochettino is deploying which means he is sometimes playing as a left-back.

Even so, there is no doubt that, despite playing only 5 first-team games for Chelsea, he will be a regular starter for years to come.

LWB – Ben Chilwell

The 26-year-old has admitted that he is still learning his new role, which sees him playing as a winger in possession.

Chilwell’s defensive instincts mean he really isn’t suited to playing so high up the pitch.

That was demonstrated against Forest midway through the first half when he fluffed his lines after being given a decent sight on goal by Raheem Sterling.

It remains to be seen how long Pochettino persists with having Chilwell in such an advanced position.

CM – Moises Caicedo

After looking impressive in the win over Luton, the British record-signing struggled once more against Forest.

Caicedo did have some decent moments, most notably when he made a great tackle after making a lung-bursting run to get back into position.

However, the Ecuadorian international was the player most at fault for Taiwo Awoniyi’s winning goal.

Caicedo’s heavy touch gave the ball away, allowing the away side to punish the Blues on the counter-attack and secure the three points.

CM – Enzo Fernandez

While those around him are struggling to put in consistent performances, the Argentinian international is looking a class apart.

Forest did have some joy shackling Fernandez, using their physicality to muscle him off the ball, but he still managed to reel off some sublime passes.

The next step for the 22-year-old is to provide more end product in the final third. Whilst he does have a goal in the Carabao Cup to his name, he hasn’t scored or provided an assist in the league yet.

Bournemouth do play a pretty expansive game, so you would back Fernandez to have some time on the ball this weekend.

RW – Cole Palmer

The £42.5m signing from Manchester City had an impressive cameo off the bench against Forest so he could be in line for his first start on Sunday.

Conor Gallagher would be the likeliest to make way for Palmer, with Fernandez being moved slightly deeper to accommodate the England Under 21 international.

He is comfortable playing as a winger or No.10 which is ideal for how Pochettino wants to set up.

After scoring twice in his last 3 games, Palmer would be delighted if he could get on the scoresheet again on his full debut for the Blues.

CF – Nicolas Jackson

There are already rumours that Chelsea are considering whether to bring in another striker in January.

While Jackson has looked very impressive in open play, there are concerns about his finishing. He missed a gilt-edged chance against Forest, missing from close range after a Raheem Sterling cutback.

It was hoped that the goal against Luton would help his confidence but the Senegalese international is undoubtedly still a rough diamond.

You can guarantee, though, that he will work harder than anyone else on the pitch at the Vitality Stadium this weekend.

LW – Raheem Sterling

The 28-year-old was excellent once again versus Forest, and it was surprising to see him left out of the England squad.

However, the silver lining is that Sterling will be fit and ready to go when the Blues take on Bournemouth.

On whatever flank he plays on, he will be a major threat to the Cherries’ defence, who have already conceded 10 goals in 5 games this season.

Sterling will definitely be at the heart of Chelsea’s best attacking moments on Sunday.