THE Premier League season may only be five games in, but a whole host of players will be sweating on their first team places.
And for David Luiz, he could be axed after just one appearance in the EPL.
He was given another chance to impress in last night's EFL Cup clash against Leicester.
And while Antonio Conte's side triumphed 4-2, Luiz's performance in the backline was woeful.
Here, SunSport takes a look at seven players who could be set for an early axe for the weekend's games.
David Luiz - Chelsea
Luiz made a surprise return to Chelsea a few weeks ago, joining from French side PSG for £34million.
While it's fair to say the Brazilian is somewhat of a cult hero with the Chelsea fans, his defensive performances often leave a lot to be desired.
And sadly, just two games in, the floppy-haired maverick could be dropped for the visit to Arsenal on Saturday.
John Terry picked up a foot injury last week, but after being originally ruled out for 10-days, Chelsea might rush him back into action.
Wayne Rooney - Manchester United
Despite Jose Mourinho claiming at the start of the season that Rooney would be returned back to his "normal" position up front, he continues to play in the hole or central midfield.
And his performances have been poor so far.
With Manchester United having lost three of their last four games in all competitions, Mourinho needs a spark.
Could the United and England captain be set for some splinters from the bench?
Ross Barkley - Everton
The attacking midfielder was given another chance to prove his worth to new boss Ronald Koeman in the EFL Cup tie.
The Toffees fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Championship outfit Norwich City.
While Barkley wasn't the worst player on the pitch, he did little to prove he deserves a start for second-in-the-league Everton away at Bournemouth on Saturday.
He was hooked at half-time in their last Premier League game, a 3-1 victory over Sunderland, so no eyebrows would be raised if he failed to get a start at the weekend.
Marouane Fellaini - Manchester United
Many people predicted with Jose Mourinho coming in at Old Trafford, Fellaini would almost certainly be set for the chop.
But surprisingly, the former Chelsea boss has persevered with the Belgian midfielder.
His patience, however, could be running thin.
Fellaini appears to be a player managers struggle to know the best position for. When he is asked to sit in centre midfield, he is often outpaced and out-thought.
And his link up play when pushed further forward with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney has been laboured.
Michael Carrick could well be recalled in his place to provide that bit more stability.
Simone Zaza - West Ham United
West Ham fans rejoiced when the news filtered through that the Italian international had signed on loan for the season for Juventus.
They were more concerned with his flair and goalscoring, than his penalty-taking routines.
However, after being subbed in both his opening games for the Hammers so far, the last at half-time in the 4-2 loss to West Brom, fans may be less-than surprised if he is benched this Saturday.
West Ham face a team desperate to impress their new boss, Southampton, so Slaven Bilic's team selection will be scrutinised.
Daniel Sturridge - Liverpool
There's just something at Anfield that leads us to think Jurgen Klopp isn't a great fit with Daniel Sturridge.
Despite publicly backing the England frontman, Klopp has often favoured Roberto Firminho, known as a winger, to occupy the striker role.
And the Brazilian returned like a swashbuckling hero from injury in Tuesday's EFL destruction of Derby County, and with Belgian strike Divock Origi also netting against the Rams, Sturridge's selection in the XI looks unlikely.
Nemanja Matic - Chelsea
Okay, Matic's performance's haven't been atrocious so far this season, but Cesc Fabregas announced himself back into his manager's thinking spectacularly last night.
The Spanish midfielder netted a brace of goals in the 4-2 come-from-behind victory at Leicester City in the EFL Cup.
And with dignified responses and a respect for manager Antonio Conte's selection choices, Fabregas is likely a cert to start for Chelsea away at Arsenal.
Matic looks like being the one to miss out. N'Golo Kante, himself not exactly pulling up trees since a summer move from champions Leicester, sweeps up, and Hazard and Willian provide the flair.
Others who will be sweating: Jack Wilshere (Bournemouth), Mark Noble (West Ham), Shay Given (Stoke), Shane Long (Southampton).
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