Silva benched, Nkunku starts, Gallagher decision – Chelsea XI vs Crystal Palace picked
Mauricio Pochettino was delighted with what he saw from his Chelsea players in a gutsy performance at Villa Park in the week. After a really dark few days following back-to-back defeats at the hands of Wolves and Liverpool, the Blues were electric in their FA Cup fourth round replay against Aston Villa.
Pochettino, though, is very level-headed after a win, just as he is following a defeat. He does not like to go too much in one way, which is an understandable – but quite rare – approach for a football manager.
His players did him proud on Wednesday and he may be tempted to go for a similar side when they travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Monday night. Getting back to winning ways in the Premier League is absolutely imperative, with the pressure still very much on Pochettino.
Palace are a club in a bit of turmoil at the moment, with manager Roy Hodgson under huge pressure having lost the support of the fans. The south Londoners have lost four out of their last six matches in all competitions, with just one win under their belt in 2024.
Whatever side Pochettino does put out, it should – on paper – have enough to deal with the Eagles. So, with that being said, football.london writers Bobby Vincent and Tom Coley discuss what team they would pick if they were in Pochettino's shoes.
I would not make too many changes to the side that were excellent at Villa Park. However, Benoit Badiashile looks set to miss the game after the Frenchman limped off with a groin injury in the closing stages of the midweek win.
Every word Mauricio Pochettino said on Chelsea, Badiashile, Colwill, Lavia, blue cards and more
Chelsea dealt massive injury blow vs Crystal Palace with Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill update
Levi Colwill
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