Chelsea face Dutch champions Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday at the Amsterdam Arena. The Blues need to get some points from the game as they are currently third in the group, with their opponents leading the table.
Frank Lampard’s men registered a narrow 1-0 win against Newcastle United on Saturday. Chelsea have won one and lost one in the Champions League so far, while Ajax have won both their matches.
Let’s take a look at the team that Frank Lampard could put out for the match against Ajax. Even though the manager has previously used a 3-4-3 in the first 2 UCL games, he might want to utilise a four-man defence which has served him well in recent weeks.
PREDICTED CHELSEA LINEUP vs AJAX (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Kepa has played both Champions League ties this season and he will continue in the Chelsea lineup in goal.
Defence
Andreas Christensen is the latest Chelsea player to join the treatment table and he will miss the game with Ajax, as will central defender Antonio Rüdiger. This means that Kurt Zouma ad Fikayo Tomori will start as the two centre backs if Lampard sticks to a four-man defence.
Captain César Azpilicueta should start at right-back for the Blues, with Marcos Alonso – Saturday’s goalscorer – starting at left-back in the Chelsea lineup.
Emerson took part in training but is a major doubt.
Midfield
Ross Barkley is yet another Chelsea player to be sidelined, having suffered an injury in the game against Newcastle. N’Golo Kante is closing in on a return to the team, but he could only make the bench for the game against Ajax, should he be fit.
Lampard could stick to a midfield three for the game against Ajax with Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount playing in the middle for the Blues. Jorginho and Mount started for Chelsea against Newcastle, while Kovacic replaced Barkley when the Englishman had to leave the pitch due to injury.
Mason Mount will be expected to move into the no.10 role when his team is in possession with Kovacic and Jorginho taking control of central midfield.
Attack
Christian Pulisic was a second-half substitute against Newcastle United, and looked lively in the game, playing a major part in Chelsea’s goal. He could perhaps start the game in place of Callum Hudson-Odoi, on the left.
Willian could retain his place in the team, starting off the right in the Chelsea lineup.
Tammy Abraham should start upfront for the Blues against Ajax.
