5 Problems Chelsea need to address before playing Crystal Palace

Chelsea’s players have looked a shadow of themselves this season To say that Chelsea have had a bad start to the 2015/16 Premier League season would be a gross understatement. The defending champions have looked a shadow of their once impeccable selves. Mourinho's men have let in goals left, right and center while being uncharacteristically lackluster in the middle of the field.On Saturday, the Blues now face the daunting task of welcoming a Crystal Palace side who are brimming with confidence after beating Shrewsbury in the League Cup this week to add to their win against Villa on the weekend. Facing Palace is never an easy task and given the start to the season the Blues have had, it has the potential to be a very long, troublesome day for the Chelsea players.If Mourinho wants the occasion of his 100th home league game at Chelsea to be a joyful one, he and Chelsea need to look at these 5 things before their game against the Eagles.

#1 Drop Ivanovic

Ivanovic has been the weakest link in The Blues’ crumbling backline

The Serbian right back has been a mainstay in Chelsea’s squad under Mourinho, gradually becoming part of his second generation of “untouchables”. Ivanovic provided a constant threat up front last season, latching onto oncoming corners and churning out crosses for Diego Costa in the box.

Whilst not being as prolific in his defensive duties last season, Ivanovic still provided that much needed extra muscle and experience to Chelsea’s backline when they most needed it. This season however, it seems age has caught up with the 31-year-old Serbian. He no longer possesses that zeal whilst going forward and has become more unguided while tracking back.

By far the weakest link in Chelsea’s already crumbling backline, Ivanovic was torn to shreds by Callum McManaman in the match against West Brom. “Branna”, as Ivanovic is fondly known among the Chelsea faithful, may be one of Mourinho’s favourites, but his performances this season leave Mourinho with a difficult but straightforward choice to make if he wants to sure up his defence – drop the Serb and bring in Azpilicueta on the right whilst giving new signing Baba Rahman a chance to prove himself.

#2 The Zouma - Cahill partnership

Much of Chelsea’s capacity to win against Palace will rest on the partnership between Cahill and Zouma

Most of Chelsea’s problems this season can be attributed to their defending, or rather lack thereof. Mourinho’s usually airtight defence has appeared to have had a million tiny holes poked into them this season with defensive errors galore in their first three games.

The Terry-Cahill partnership last season was one of the main reasons why Chelsea managed to win the League. They shared an almost telepathic relationship reminiscent of one Terry shared with Ricardo Carvalho in Mourinho’s first stint with the Blues. Whilst Cahill was never as assured as Terry, the two managed to cancel out any of the inevitable mistakes they made.

This season, however, has been different. Not only is Cahill looking shaky as ever, the main concern lies in the usually self-assured Terry looking uncharacteristically worn. Kurt Zouma was given the nod ahead of Cahill in the game against West Brom and did a decent enough job but “decent enough” never won anyone titles.

With Terry suspended for the game following his red card at The Hawthorns, it’s up to Cahill and Zouma to try to sure up the open spaces in Chelsea’s defence. If they manage to do so, they may even cement themselves in the starting XI ahead of Terry.

What may have seemed unfathomable a season ago may make sense this year; Terry on the bench after a year of playing every minute of League football for the blues? This may actually make a lot more sense than it does now IF the Zouma-Cahill pair manage to get it right.

#3 Give Fabregas more cover

Chelsea have severely missed the Spaniard's passing abilities this season

The Spaniard set many a fan’s hearts aflutter with his performances last year. His 19 assists and 3 goals speak for themselves. This season however much like Chelsea’s, in general, has been far from it.

No brilliant, opposition cutting through balls that we’ve grown accustomed to seeing him execute so effortlessly over the years coupled with his lacklustre approach to his defensive side of the game, have lead to Chelsea leaking in far more than they can put in at the other end of the pitch. The arrival of a familiar face in Pedro against West Brom however changed things slightly.

We saw glimpses of that ingenious Fabregas passing with some exquisite balls to Hazard and Costa. This was down to the fact that he had more time on the ball in the game at the Hawthorns towards the start.

Fabregas is a player who needs to get the ball at his feet, have a glance when looking up and then serve up magic. In his first two games, especially the one against potential championship contenders Man City, Fabregas has no time on the ball to display his passing wizardry.

Nemaja Matic proved himself perfect for that role in shielding the Spanish magician last year but he too has been uninspiring this year. It all can’t be down to him however as last year he had a lot less to worry about in his defenders making mistakes. With that added problem this year, Matic hasn’t been able to cope. So yet again the solution lies in ensuring up the defence.

If Chelsea manage to fix up their backline, Matic will have a lot less to worry about and can focus more on freeing up space for Fabregas who will then go onto create chances.

#4 Chelsea must not pin their hopes on Pedro

Chelsea cannot look to new signing Pedro as the solution to all their problems

Pedro had a perfect debut in Chelsea blue. In many ways, the 28-year-old Spaniard was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Blues, giving them that extra vitality upfront in the final third. The danger now lies in pinning too much on him. Clubs have an uncanny knack of doing this. As soon as a player starts his league brilliantly, the hopes and aspirations of the club are firmly set upon his shoulders.

This has resulted in many a player starting well but then fading off very easily due to the added pressure. It happened with Di Maria at Manchester United last season. Chelsea fans do not want that happening to their La Liga import.

In order to take the pressure of Pedro, Chelsea’s entire team needs to sure themselves up. Eden Hazard ( a victim of this same pressure last season albeit managing to cope with it ) hasn’t looked at his very best this season. There were flashes of brilliance against West Brom such as when he set up Pedro’s first goal for the Blues.

With the Chelsea faithful now looking to Pedro, maybe some of the pressure is now off Hazard’s back and he can once again terrorize Premier League defences. Willian had a relatively poor outing against West Brom where he missed a sitter after some good work done by the new boy Pedro.

While Mourinho may be playing him in a more central role now due to Pedro’s arrival, Willian needs to step his game up and provide more for Diego Costa up front if he wants to keep his place in the squad.

#5 The bench needs to step up

Chelsea’s bench needs to step their game up if Chelsea are to challenge for the title again

While Chelsea’s starting 11 are to blame for their poor start, their bench is equally responsible. Falcao has been underwhelming in the time he’s been on the pitch while Ramires was uncharacteristically poor against City.

With the potential arrival of Oscar and Victor Moses on the bench against Palace after injury, Chelsea now have their bench back to full capacity. One of the benefits of having such a strong bench is having ample talent to compensate for your starting 11 when they’re not clicking.

Chelsea definitely aren’t clicking this season so it’s up to the bench to go out there and produce football that shows Mourinho that he has the wrong players amongst his starters. In a squad as large as Chelsea’s, getting playing time will always be an issue; Chelsea’s early season struggles could be the perfect platform for someone on the bench to step up and give Chelsea’s fans something to sing about again