Twas the night before Christmas and Chelsea FC have suffered yet another unexpected embarrassing loss. They also enter the next match with a $278 million question mark in their midfield. Both Enzo Fernandez (hamstring) and Moises Caicedo (unspecified illness) enter the Boxing Day round fixture as injury doubts.
Yes, it is in fact, already time to preview the next match, even though the last one (a surprise loss to Wolves) ended just hours ago.
Chelsea FC vs Crystal Palace FYIs
Kick: Wed. Dec. 27, 8:15 pm, Stamford Bridge
Chelsea Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Google Result Probability: Chelsea FC win 57% Draw 24% Crystal Palace 19%
PL Standing, Form Guide: Chelsea FC 10th, 22 pts, LWLLW Crystal Palace 15th, 18 pts, DDLLD
Such is the magic of the season, the festive period fixture congestion season.
Remember, we still have another round of New Year’s fixtures once we get through the Boxing Day fixtures.
Enzo (£107 million, or $132 million) broke the British and January window transfer fee records when Chelsea signed him close to a year ago.
Moises Caicedo broke the British record again, when he moved over from Brighton this summer, for £115m or $146 million.
Boku bucks! Todd Boehly is generous like Santa Claus with his transfer budget.
Elsewhere Ben Chilwell (hamstring problem), Wesley Fofana (ruptured ACL, done for season), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee injury), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh issue), Reece James (also a thigh), Robert Sanchez (knee) and Marc Cucurella (ankle) remain out as longer-time absentees.
Finally, Cole Palmer is suspended.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.