Chelsea predicted XI vs Bournemouth as Blues receive Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo boost
Chelsea could see both Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo start for their first Premier League game back after the international break against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.
Xabi Alonso’s first few weeks as manager of the Blues has been strongly impacted by a number of key players being missing from action. Caicedo is yet to start a game for them this season.
Marco Palestra, Joao Pedro and Reece James have all missed games too, while Palmer withdrew from the England squad during this international break due to load management.
Caicedo and Palmer have been tipped to be back in time for the return of the Premier League, and The Chelsea Chronicle have predicted the side Alonso will name for the clash with the Cherries.
Chelsea needed this break BADLY… but with so many players racking up minutes for their countries, did it actually help them or could it have made things worse? 🤔
Let us know your reasoning! 👇
Predicted Chelsea XI vs Bournemouth
Emi Martinez will start in goal for the Blues. The shot stopper has enjoyed a positive international break while representing Argentina.
The first member of the back three will be Josh Acheampong. He has so far had more of an impressive start to the campaign than Wesley Fofana.
Maxence Lacroix has been handed plenty of minutes during France’s international schedule, however will still be required to start for the Blues in their quest for a first clean sheet in the league this season.
On the left, Levi Colwill will keep Jorrel Hato on the bench for now, however will need to show improvement from his personal start to the campaign to hold on to that place.
Right wing-back will see Pedro Neto start again, however expect Marco Palestra to come on to make his competitive debut during the game.
Caicedo will start in the middle of the park, making just his second appearance of the campaign. His previous outing came to an end early against Brighton.
He will be joined by captain Reece James. He was another player allowed three weeks off after not making himself available for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
On the left, Pep Chavarria will start after being the standout performer in the 3-0 defeat to Brentford last time out.
In attack, the Blues will be buoyed by the fact that Palmer is seemingly ready to start despite his international withdrawal, as he looks to continue his excellent individual start to the campaign.
He will be joined in attack by Morgan Rogers, who has taken his chance to impress Tuchel during England’s Nations League fixtures.
Despite the Palmer and Caicedo boosts, it remains unlikely that Joao Pedro will be fit enough to feature, leaving Danny Welbeck his second opportunity of the season to start in the Premier League.
Predicted Chelsea XI (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, James, Caicedo, Chavarria; Palmer, Rogers; Welbeck
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