Kovacic is increasingly looking like one of the league’s most complete midfielders

Question: who is the most valuable player in this smooth-running, high-pressing blue machine of a Chelsea team?

For the past two seasons, the obvious answer would have been N’Golo Kanté, but for all his brilliance, recent weeks have belied the idea that the Frenchman is irreplaceable. This match, a victory of real control and dominance against Crystal Palace, was only his fifth game of the season. Of the seven Premier League matches that Kanté has missed under Frank Lampard, Chelsea have won six and drawn one, with one of the best expected-goals differentials — a measure of whether shots taken should result in a goal — in the league across those matchdays.

Perhaps you would plump for Willian, who in addition to his two goals