Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill could be fighting it out for a starting spot in Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea team against Crystal Palace(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Thiago Silva waits, Nkunku sub - Mauricio Pochettino's strongest Chelsea team vs Crystal Palace

Here we take a look at what could be Mauricio Pochettino's strongest Chelsea team for Monday's Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park

by · football.london

Mauricio Pochettino and his Chelsea players will be intent on ensuring that Wednesday's FA Cup win over Aston Villa is a turning point in their season. Travelling to the Midlands with so much speculation over the Argentine's future, the Blues shocked many with a fine 3-1 victory at Villa Park.

Returning to Premier League action on Monday evening away at Crystal Palace, Chelsea have the opportunity to put their past two league defeats behind them. Well beaten by both Liverpool and Wolves, the west London club will be coming up against an out-of-sorts Palace team at Selhurst Park.

Roy Hodgson's men have endured a poor run of form of late, including a 4-1 hammering at Brighton & Hove Albion last time out, and they need to start stringing the results together or else they are going to be dragged into the relegation battle. A match both sides need to win, it promises to be a very entertaining game as both look to secure the points to help them with their respective goals come the end of the term.

For Chelsea, there are question marks over Benoit Badiashile's fitness as Pochettino revealed in his pre-match press conference that the Frenchman will need to be assessed after coming off with a groin problem in the final few minutes of the game at Villa Park in midweek. Chelsea will also be keeping tabs on Levi Colwill as he has missed the Blues' past four games with a hamstring injury.

With Badiashile and Colwill's fitness very much up in the air ahead of the game at Selhurst Park, that could see Thiago Silva return to the Chelsea backline. Christopher Nkunku will also be hoping to force his way into the Chelsea side but he may have to bide his time on the bench once again going on the success of the attackers at Aston Villa.

So how exactly could Pochettino set his Chelsea team up against Crystal Palace on Monday evening? football.london takes a look at his strongest XI below.

Djordje Petrovic

It's an easy decision in goal for Mauricio Pochettino with Djordje Petrovic named between the sticks.(Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Malo Gusto

Malo Gusto was in excellent form in his right-back berth against Aston Villa and got an assist to his name with a lovely ball that Nicolas Jackson headed home. A repeat performance would do just nicely.(Image: (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images))
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Axel Disasi

Axel Disasi will start at centre-back for Chelsea but it remains to be seen who will partner him against Crystal Palace.(Image: James Gill – Danehouse)
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Thiago Silva

As Benoit Badiashile will be assessed following his injury and Chelsea will be keeping an eye on Levi Colwill's fitness, that may open the door for the experienced Thiago Silva to come back into the team. The Brazilian did come on for the closing stages of the Aston Villa win in midweek.(Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Ben Chilwell

Ben Chilwell will be looking to have a big say on the game at Crystal Palace from his role on the left flank.(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Moises Caicedo

Moises Caicedo performed well in the win at Aston Villa and he will be looking to deliver another telling showing in the middle of the park as the Blues chase a Premier League win.(Image: Chris Lee – Chelsea FC)
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Enzo Fernandez

Enzo Fernandez was in top form against Aston Villa and he will again have a pivotal role to play for Chelsea at Selhurst Park. Another goal would do just nicely after his sublime free-kick in midweek.(Image: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
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Conor Gallagher

Conor Gallagher will be back at former loan club Crystal Palace on Monday evening. He is another who will be looking to build on what was a very promising display at Aston Villa.
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Noni Madueke

Noni Madueke may continue from his role on the right flank after his showing at Aston Villa.
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Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson was utilised on the left wing at Aston Villa and he had a big impact on proceedings even though it's not his natural position. Given the success of Mauricio Pochettino's call to play him there the other day, the summer signing may find himself operating from the left again rather than up front.(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Cole Palmer

With Nicolas Jackson playing from the left, Cole Palmer may be played through the middle once again. Chances on goal should be there for the England international and he will be intent on adding to his tally for the season.(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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