Chelsea set to be without FOUR players for trip to Crystal Palace

Chelsea set to be without FOUR players for their trip to Crystal Palace with Edouard Mendy and N’Golo Kante out injured as Marc Cucurella and Carney Chukwuemeka fall ill… but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could make his league debut for the Blues

  • Chelsea are set to be without for players for their game against Crystal Palace 
  • Edouard Mendy, N’Golo Kante and Marc Cucurella will all miss Saturday’s match 
  • Carney Chukwuemeka is also out of Graham Potter’s first league game in charge
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could make his league debut for Potter’s side 

Graham Potter is set to be without four players for his first Premier League game in charge of Chelsea.

Potter takes Chelsea to Crystal Palace for his long-awaited league bow but will be missing goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, midfielder N’Golo Kante, left back Marc Cucurella and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.

Mendy and Kante have been able to resume training after knee and hamstring issues respectively but are not yet fully fit while Cucurella and Chukwuemeka are set to miss the game due to illness.

Graham Potter is set to be without four players for his first league game as Chelsea manager


Marc Cucurella (left) is ill, while Edouard Mendy (right) will still be missing through injury

Potter said: ‘They [Mendy and Kante] are absolutely fine in terms of coming through the rehab stages. NG has just been on the grass with the team and not really full training.

‘Eddie is a bit further on but still hasn’t had enough to be involved at the weekend really but maybe next week for him.

‘There is also a bit of illness with Marc Cucurella and Carney Chukwuemeka but everybody else is fit.’

Potter has taken charge of just one Champions League game in 23 days since his appointment


N’Golo Kante (left) and Carney Chukwuemeka (right) will also miss the game at Selhurst Park

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to be part of the travelling squad and could make his first Premier League start for the Blues at Selhurst Park.

Potter explained how the 33-year-old is ‘focused’ on scoring goals for the side, despite signing for former manager Thomas Tuchel just days before he was sacked.

‘I’m looking forward to working with him, I’ve enjoyed working with him in the brief time we’ve been together,’ said Potter.

‘He’s a good guy, focused, he wants to play, wants to score, so really enjoying it.’

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could make his first league start since signing for Chelsea

Aubameyang is back in the Premier League after a following a spell at Barcelona after he was shipped out of Arsenal after falling out with manager Mikel Arteta.

He has the chance to redeem his reputation in England while back in London, but Potter played down the idea of his forward having anything to prove. 

‘I’m not sure (on redemption),’ the 47-year-old said. ‘You’d have to speak to him about that. 

Potter said Aubameyang doesn’t need to prove himself despite abruptly leaving Arsenal

‘He has nothing to prove to me, or anything negative in that regard, his career is his career and I have a huge respect for that. 

‘My job is to help him enjoy his football, help him be part of what we’re trying to do here. 

‘He’s acted as a top professional, top person so I’m really looking forward to working with him.’




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