Chelsea haven’t played a Premier League game since their 2-1 win against London rivals West Ham at Stamford Bridge on September 3 – when Thomas Tuchel was still in charge.
Chelsea will return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon when Graham Potter’s side take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The game will be Potter’s first in the competition since he succeeded Thomas Tuchel as Blues boss earlier this month.
Chelsea have made an indifferent start to the season, picking up 10 points from their first six Premier League games to sit seventh in the table.
Chelsea haven’t played since their 1-1 Champions League draw against Red Bull Salzburg at Stamford Bridge on September 14.
Their last two Premier League fixtures against Fulham and Liverpool were postponed following the Queen’s passing earlier this month.
Potter is yet to confirm if any Chelsea players have picked up an injury during the international break, and it’s unclear whether goalkeeper Edouard Mendy or midfielder N’Golo Kante have recovered from their existing complaints.
Assuming both players are still unavailable, Potter is expected to deploy a 3-5-2 formation against Palace on Saturday afternoon.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue in goal if Mendy’s knee is still sore and has an opportunity to make a good impression on Potter.
Captain Cesar Azpilicueta is likely to play on the right of the back three, with either Thiago Silva or Wesley Fofana slotting in down the middle.
Marc Cucurella, who played under Potter at Brighton, is expected to continue on the left of the back three.
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In central midfield, Potter is likely to continue with his preferred trio of Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount.
The latter came off the bench to score England’s second goal in their thrilling 3-3 draw against Germany at Wembley on Monday night.
Reece James started England’s most recent international at right-wing-back and will be expecting to continue in that role against Palace.
The big question is who plays on the opposite flank, as Raheem Sterling started there in the draw against Salzburg.
Sterling is unlikely to continue in that role, allowing Ben Chilwell to come into the team.
Potter could make use of Cucurella’s attacking talents by playing him in that role and putting Kalidou Koulibaly or Fofana on the left of the back three.
Sterling is expected to partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front, as Potter looks to form a prolific partnership.
Kai Havertz is also pushing for a start after scoring a brace for Germany against England, while Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic are also in contention.
Palace haven’t played since their goalless Premier League draw against Newcastle at St James‘ Park on September 3.
Patrick Vieira’s side are 16th in the table – two points above the relegation zone – after winning just one of their first six league games.
Nathan Ferguson, Jack Butland, James McArthur and James Tomkins are currently on Palace’s injury list.
Vieira will be hoping the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Jordan Ayew, Eberechi Eze, Jeffery Schlupp and Joachim Andersen can inspire