Chelsea failed to hold on to a one-goal advantage after a fast start against Leicester City last weekend. As a result, the Blues have now picked up just a point from their first two games of the league campaign. They face yet another stern test this weekend, when they travel to Carrow Road, to take on a Norwich City side, fresh from beating Newcastle United 3-1 at home in the last match week.
Daniel Farke’s men are determined to play an exciting brand of football and though Chelsea have a better squad on paper, they could struggle to contain them away from home. But The Canaries have not beaten The Blues in any of their last ten meetings in all competitions, which will give Frank Lampard some relief. But the squad under Lampard looks disjointed and they need to put in a strong performance to take anything from this game.
Early team news
The Blues are still without the services of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Reece James and Callum Hudon-Odoi, all of who are nursing injuries. Defender Antonio Rudiger is back in training but might only make the bench while the same can be said for Willian even though he got a few minutes against Leicester.
PREDICTED CHELSEA LINEUP vs LEICESTER CITY (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga has been exposed far too often in the two games so far this campaign. The Spaniard will hope that his backline can provide more cover this weekend. Lampard seems to prefer Emerson Palmieri to Marcos Alonso at left-back while Cesar Azpilicueta will start at right-back, also sporting the armband.
Rudiger is back in training but might not be risked this early after a return. This will leave Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen in the firing line this weekend as well. They will be up against an in-form striker in Teemu Pukki, who has now scored four goals in two games, including a hat-trick against The Magpies last weekend. Keeping him quiet will be crucial for Chelsea to take something from this game.
Midfield
Lampard has a number of options to form his midfield. N’Golo Kante, probably Chelsea’s best player this campaign, should retain his place in the middle of the park. He could be given the license to roam as Lampard also has Jorginho, who can play in a defensive midfield role.
The duo adds little creativity to the side but will certainly frustrate Norwich City’s build-up play.
Attack
Tammy Abraham only came off the bench against the Foxes. But Olivier Giroud was effective for just the first half-hour of that game and the manager should bring the youngster back to try and maintain the pressure on the Norwich backline all game.
Christian Pulisic is still getting used to the English conditions and players around him at Chelsea. He will be up against Max Aarons, who has hardly put a foot wrong in either of the games so far this season. Pulisic will start on the left flank while Pedro remains Lampard’s best option on the right flank.
Mason Mount has shown great maturity in a no.10 role for Chelsea and the manager has no real reason to push him out of the starting XI.
Here is how they might line up:
