Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has named Joao Pedro in his starting lineup to lead the attack as the Blues host Crystal Palace in their opening Premier League fixture.
Pedro, who joined during Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign, has been in impressive form with five goals in five appearances and gets the nod ahead of Liam Delap, who starts from the bench.
Teenage defender Josh Acheampong, 19, partners Trevor Chalobah in central defence, while summer signing Jorrel Hato is among the substitutes. Brazilian prodigy Willian Estevao also begins on the bench, with Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto starting out wide.
The Blues’ XI sees Robert Sanchez in goal, captain Reece James at right-back, and Marc Cucurella on the left, while Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez marshal the midfield alongside Cole Palmer.
For Palace, manager Oliver Glasner has named Sam Johnstone’s replacement, Dean Henderson, in goal. Daniel Munoz, Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi, and Tyrick Mitchell complete the backline. In midfield, Adam Wharton and Will Hughes provide support, while Ibrahim Sarr, Eberechi Eze, and Jean-Philippe Mateta form the attacking trio.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro.
Subs: Jorgensen, Fofana, Gusto, Hato, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Delap, Estevao, George.
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson; Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell; Wharton, Hughes; Sarr, Eze, Mateta.
Subs: Benitez, Clyne, Cardines, Sosa, Lerma, Devenny, Esse, Rak-Sakyi, Edouard.
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