Premier League: Fernandez absent, Caicedo uncertain with Chelsea to face Crystal Palace

Fernandez out of Palace game, Caicedo uncertain Chelsea could play their Premier League match against Crystal Palace without their two midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, manager Mauricio Pochettino said. Chelsea, who were 10th ahead of the next day's matches Christmas, was already without Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer - two of his three top scorers - for Wednesday's London derby due to suspensions. While Fernandez recovers from a hernia, Caicedo is ill and nine players are injured, leaving Pochettino without 11 players for the final home game of the year.

Noni Madueke and Romeo Lavia are available after returning from injury in Chelsea's defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. “No, Enzo no. But Mo (Caicedo), I hope so. Today he was better, yesterday (Saturday) it was possible, but he has a high fever. I hope he can train a bit and be ready for Palace,” Pochettino said. “Lesley (Ugochukwu) will be assessed tomorrow, but I think he has felt his hamstring again. I said in the press conference that it is important to know how we reintroduce players, but we were forced to play Lesley because of the Moises problem. Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk should start and Christopher Nkunku could make his debut against Palace.

Chelsea received a league-high 56 yellow cards but Pochettino defended his young side when questioned. “This is a representative example of the fact that we play for Chelsea, we are a big club and we feel the pressure,” he said. “This is Palmer's first season in the Premier League and that's normal. This is Palmer's first season in the Premier League and that's to be expected. He plays for Chelsea. Of course it's frustrating. But the players feel concerned, they want to win. It's not about a lack of discipline, it's about having the ability to read the game situation.