Graham Potter and his players should be riding high after Wednesday night's emphatic win over AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League. It was a performance of conviction and flair, attributes that have mostly been absent from Chelsea so far this season, and offered early evidence of Potter's ability to construct an effective plan against dangerous opposition.
Saturday afternoon against Wolves could be equally tricky, particularly when you factor in that Chelsea have not beaten the West Midlands side in a Premier League game since the final day of the elongated 2019/20 season.
Three draws and one defeat have followed, the most exciting of which saw the Blues contrive to surrender a 2-0 lead at home back in May.
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Wolves might be stuck in limbo given the sacking of Bruno Lage last Sunday with no replacement yet confirmed. Despite clear talent within their squad, only three goals scored in their opening eight games places them in the bottom three. Captain Ruben Neves is suspended, whilst other threats Raul Jimenez and Pedro Neto are also sidelined through injury.
A third win in seven days would help the Blues fully start to build momentum and look past a turbulent few months, but there are still some Burning Questions to answer before 3pm on Saturday.
Can Auba answer Costa question?
The long-awaited return of Diego Costa to Chelsea will spark memories of tons of goals, two title wins and a ruthless streak few have rivalled in the years since.
As much as he will get a warm reception, his presence is a reminder of how much the club has struggled to replace his end product in the five years since. An attack that was defined by its clinical output when Costa was present is now more maligned for its profligacy.
It speaks volumes that when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a Chelsea striker nets for consecutive games, there is equal surprise and jubilation. The Gabon international is swiftly settling into life at Chelsea, and a third on Saturday would start to reframe his transfer as a short-term fix and more of a worthy solution. Helping the Blues to finally look beyond what they once had with Costa.
Expecto-formation
No, I'm not apologising for that title. Three games for Potter and three different formations. The trend in two has been sticking with the back-three Thomas Tuchel trusted greatly, but we did see a more conventional back-four at Selhurst Park last weekend.
It is a strong point to suggest that the three suits this current group of players better, not only because of their familiarity with it but the licence it offers to the two wingbacks to roam down the flanks and cause havoc, best epitomised by Reece James against Milan.
Wolves will likely set up off the ball in a 5-3-2, with Chelsea gaining most of the possession. In that scenario, the argument for an extra attacking player can be made. Though Potter may find it irresistible to alter an XI that performed so confidently last time out in a 3-4-3, offering equal defensive solidity and attacking intent.
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