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Chelsea Predicted Lineup versus Bournemouth: Cole Palmer to earn the start?

By Evan Curnew

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Cole Palmer of Chelsea FC during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on September 02, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Cole Palmer of Chelsea FC during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on September 02, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea are set to return from the international break with a fixture away to Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium. The September 17th matchup will see Chelsea looking for their first away win this season. The hosts, Bournemouth, are off to a poor start to the season after massive spending the summer, having yet to win a game under new manager Andoni Iraola. The Top Flight provides our Chelsea predicted lineup for the fixture against the Cherries.

In between the sticks will be Robert Sanchez, who is expected to be the regular starter for the Blues this season. Sanchez should be backed up by Djordje Petrovic, who’s joined from MLS side New England Revolution.

The right-back situation will be interesting to watch as captain Reece James is still recovering from an injury. It’s not unforeseen he is in the matchday squad, but a start feels like a stretch at this point. Thus, Malo Gusto will earn another start. The centre-back partnership should be made up of Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi once again. Benoit Badiashile is closer to a return but, like James, is unlikely to be thrown to the wolves and start. Levi Colwill will operate out on the left in a hybrid role that allows Ben Chilwell, who will also likely start to play higher up the pitch.

The highly anticipated up of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo should start again in the heart of the midfield, barring any last-minute knocks. It’s hard to leave Conor Gallagher out of the midfield as he has started every game, but his substitution out of the Nottingham Forest loss may signal a start from the bench versus Bournemouth. Romeo Lavia remains out for the time being for Chelsea.

Cole Palmer could be in line for his first start under Mauricio Pochettino. Joining from Manchester City near the end of the window, Palmer joins a long list of young talent to make the trip to Stamford Bridge the last couple of years. The rest of the attack should be rounded out with Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson, who are expected to be regular starters up top this season for Chelsea.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Jackson

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