The international break probably came just at the right time for Chelsea with some of their players looking a bit leggy.
Last time out, the Blues laboured to a 0-0 draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge, a game which maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
And their first game back in the Premier League involves a trip to Wembley to face Tottenham Hotspur.
For Spurs, their last Premier League action came in the form of a tough 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
So, with Chelsea looking to maintain their unlikely title bid, let’s look at some of Maurizio Sarri’s selection decisions:
Giroud ahead of Morata?
Whilst he’s played well when given he opportunity, Oliver Giroud’s start to the season hasn’t been filled with goals.
The Frenchman’s scored just once for Chelsea this season, whereas he’s already got two goals for his national side.
Alvaro Morata on the other hand, whilst he’s got a few more goals, cut a very frustrated figure in Chelsea’s last outing.
And in a game where Sarri needs his frontman to hold up the ball, Giroud should get the start.
Barkley to return to midfield?
In Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Everton, Mateo Kovacic started and, although he didn’t play poorly, lacked an end product.
Ross Barkley’s goal-scoring form has added a dynamic to Chelsea’s midfield that Kovacic hasn’t provided yet.
Even England manager Gareth Southgate has begun using Barkley in his preferred starting XI.
So with Chelsea’s strikers going through a dry spell, goals from midfield will be important so Barkley should start.
Predicted XI:
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