Enzo Maresca has opted for Joao Pedro to lead the line for Chelsea with Liam Delap on the bench.
Both players joined the club during the Club World Cup campaign but the Brazilian has scored five in five since his arrival and gets the nod for the Premier League opener.
Nineteen-year-old Josh Acheampong partners Trevor Chalobah at the heart of defence. New addition Jorrel Hato starts on the bench.
There is also a place on the bench for Brazilian wonderkid Willian Estevao, with Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto preferred out wide.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Gittens, Joao Pedro
Subs: Jorgensen, Fofana, Gusto, Hato, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Delap, Estevao, George
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Hughes, Sarr, Eze, Mateta
Subs: Benitez, Clyne, Cardines, Sosa, Lerma, Devenny, Esse, Rak-Sakyi, Edouard
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Starting XIs for EPL clash
