Chelsea began their pre-season tour of Japan on a bad note as they lost to Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale 1-0. New manager Frank Lampard has a tough task of rebuilding the Chelsea team but will not have the luxury of going into the transfer market to sign new players due to the transfer ban.
The English manager has a difficult second game in the tour of Japan as the Blues face off against Spanish giants Barcelona at the Saitama Stadium on July 23. Lampard has a mixture of experienced and young players in his squad and will want to give an opportunity to every member over the course of two halves.
Let’s take a look at the team that Lampard could put out against Barcelona on Tuesday:
Goalkeeper
Chelsea’s No. 1 goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the game against Kawasaki Frontale due to an illness but should return to the team against Barcelona and replace Willy Caballero between the sticks.
Defence
David Luiz and Kurt Zouma started in central defence for Chelsea against Kawasaki Frontale, and while the former had a decent game, the latter didn’t impress. The French central defender could be replaced by Andreas Christensen against Barcelona. Captain Cesar Azpilicueta could start at right-back, while Lampard could give Emerson Palmieri a chance to impress at left-back ahead of Marcos Alonso.
Midfield
Jorginho played in a much more advanced role in the first game of the Japan tour, playing beside Mateo Kovacic. He could continue in his midfield role, while Lampard could give an opportunity to Tiemoue Bakayoko, who was a second-half substitute. Chelsea have announced that N’Golo Kante has returned to England to recuperate from the knee injury that he suffered last season.
Ross Barkley could be given an opportunity in the role behind the striker, replacing Mason Mount, who had a good game against Kawasaki Frontale.
Attack
Christian Pulisic could get his first start for Chelsea against Barcelona and start in the right-sided attacking role. Kenedy could get another opportunity on the left-side, having started for Chelsea in the first game. Michy Batshuayi could reprise the striker’s role against Barcelona, having played the first game against Kawasaki Frontale.
