Mauricio Pochettino is facing his first genuine selection dilemma since joining the club. This is the kind of issue that many expected to arise frequently upon his arrival, but the unprecedented quantity and persistence of injuries have largely thwarted any tinkering.

 

Pochettino hasn’t been able to experiment much with his team despite his reputation for not rotating players. Although there were doubts and mysteries before the start of the season, there has been nothing to mull over since the first game. Six players have started every game this season from the very beginning.

 

There’s a new bright light at Chelsea. Although it’s still early, it appears that the £40 million spent to get Cole Palmer from Manchester City was well worth it. After making his league debut for the club against Fulham, the 21-year-old has already made an impact.

 

Pochettino has emphasized the importance of playing off the striker on several occasions. It’s hardly surprising that the largest difficulties occurred in the weeks without Palmer or Christopher Nkunku, who were both considered in the initial season preparations. With him in charge, all the loose ends have been tied.

 

Palmer is taking advantage of voids in the defense and on the flanks that Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez aren’t as good at filling, allowing him to thrive. His unorthodox approach to possession belies the fact that he rarely gives the ball up. Coming out of the Manchester City youth system, he couldn’t possibly be a bad player.

 

He’s proven to be an integral part of the team as it stands, whether he plays on the right flank in the same balanced formation as at Craven Cottage or in place of one of the midfield trio (though that seems unlikely given their established rapport). Palmer has helped turn around Chelsea’s future fortunes with two assists in two starts, and it would be foolish to mess with that.