Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Team News: Two debuts and a start for academy youngster | OneFootball

Chelsea face Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in just over an hour, and the teams are in!

We’ve been so excited for this season to get underway, and we now have Enzo Maresca’s first team of the campaign.

After a summer of speculation about his future, Robert Sanchez keeps his place in goal.

In defence, Reece James continues his best stretch without a serious injury for years with a start at right back to bring in the new season. Marc Cucurella plays at left back, hoping to continue his superb form of the last year.

In defence it gets interested. Levi Colwill’s injury has ruled him out for the season, and Wesley Fofana isn’t fully fit from his latest long term issue.

Without them, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile are expected to make a lot more appearances this season – but both of them are out injured today too. That means that Trevoh Chalobah is partnered at the back by young Josh Acheampong, making just his third Premier League start.

The midfield has Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez playing behind Cole Palmer, as we saw many times last year.

The front 3 has two debutants – Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens start following their summer arrivals, with Pedro Neto back in the team too.

Here are the full team line-ups for Chelsea vs Crystal Palace (kick off at 14:00 GMT)

CHELSEA:

Chelsea’s team to face Crystal Palace in the season opener.

Chelsea’s bench looks majorly improved

This summer’s signings have given the bench a very healthy look. Wesley Fofana is fit to at least be a sub, while Jorrel Hato is a versatile option on the left of defence.

Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo bring some sturdy midfield options.

Attacking options look as good as they have in a while – Liam Delap, Tyrique George and Estevao Willian are a really exciting trio to have to bring on later in games.