It’s unclear who Chelsea’s best player was against Crystal Palace last season without more specific information. However, based on recent matches, some top performers for Chelsea include ¹:
– Cole Palmer: He set up Nicolas Jackson’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and has been in good form, scoring 13 goals in the Premier League season.
– Jadon Sancho: He had a brilliant run to set up Cole Palmer’s goal and has been a key player for Chelsea.
– Eberechi Eze: Although he plays for Crystal Palace, his performance against Chelsea was notable, scoring a “wondrous” second-half strike from 20 yards out.

As for who shouldn’t start on Sunday, without knowing the specific match details or the players involved, it’s hard to say. However, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca might consider rotating his squad, having chosen different players for previous matches. For instance, he selected Filip Jorgensen in goal over Robert Sanchez against Ipswich and chose Christopher Nkunku to lead the line to allow Nicolas Jackson to rest ².

Some potential reasons for not starting a player include ²:
– Injury: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall misses out due to injury, and defenders Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana are long-term absentees.
– Rest: Maresca might choose to rest key players to avoid fatigue and ensure they’re fresh for upcoming matches.
– Tactics: The manager might decide to change the lineup based on the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, such as choosing a different formation or player to counter Crystal Palace’s strategy.

Ultimately, the decision would depend on various factors, including the team’s current form, player availability, and the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.