Chelsea will look to enter the international break with their second win of the season. For that, they will have to navigate what seems like a fairly simple game at home against newly-promoted, Sheffield United.
But Frank Lampard will not see it that way. Chelsea have not been consistent till now and are finding their feet under their new, fairly inexperienced, manager. They followed up a loss and a draw with their first win against Norwich City last weekend in the league.
Meanwhile, Sheffield have looked organised and sincere, two qualities which will help them in their bid to stay in the division. They will come without any fear to Stamford Bridge and will look to frustrate Chelsea into making a mistake of their own.
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Frank has a number of injury issues to contend with. N’Golo Kante (ankle), Pedro (hamstring) and Antonio Rudiger (match fitness) will miss out. While Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Reece James remain long term absentees.
PREDICTED CHELSEA LINEUP VS SHEFFIELD UNITED (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Kepa Arrizabalaga will start in goal. He has been decent without being spectacular till now and will hope for his first clean sheet of the season.
Cesar Azpilicueta will start at right-back again in the Chelsea lineup.
The central defensive partnership is unlikely to change given the lack of options. Thus, we will see Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma line up.
At left-back, the manager has a good alternative in Marcos Alonso. But he might not make a change just before the break with Emerson performing decently.
MIDFIELD
With Kante out, the onus will fall on a couple of others to keep the midfield ticking and inventive. Jorginho and Kovacic are expected to get starts in the double pivot in the Chelsea lineup. Both have looked promising this season and will hope to build on the bright start.
ATTACK
Mason Mount has been passed fit for this encounter. He will take up one of the slots in the final third with Pulisic also a certainty on one of the wings in the Chelsea lineup.
Lampard might be tempted to hand a start to Willian but he might resist doing that since after the international break. If that is the case, Ross Barkley will start in the no.10 role.
Tammy Abraham is high on confidence and will look to carry on in the same vein of form after the brace last weekend.
Lampard is not a good coach though he was good player