Frank Lampard seems to be a man on a mission this summer. His Chelsea side has by far been the busiest of clubs in the transfer window and it does not look like they are done any time soon. The Blues signed Hakim Ziyech early on in the summer and followed it up with another exciting signing in Timo Werner.
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Thiago Silva on a free transfer and are also set to announce the signing of Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen in the coming days. While every name they have added improves their squad, how does Lampard fit them in and who will have to drop out of the first team?
PREDICTED CHELSEA LINEUP FOR NEXT SEASON (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga may yet be sold but if he stays, he should retain his place in the Chelsea lineup. Cesar Azpilicueta will continue to push Reece James for a place in the first team at right-back. Both players have shown quality late last season and will be crucial for Chelsea in the upcoming campaign.
At left-back, Chelsea want to sign Ben Chilwell from Leicester City but the asking price seems to be hampering this deal. If Chilwell fails to move to London, Marcos Alonso or Emerson Palmieri may retain their place left-back. But the Leicester City star will be the first choice if he completes the move this summer.
Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Kurt Zouma will battle it out for a place in the first team alongside Fikayo Tomori, all of who need to show consistency at the back for Chelsea.
Thiago Silva has also been strongly linked with a move but there is still some way to go before Chelsea address their actual central defensive issues.
Lampard did use a three-man backline late last season but has enough quality in his midfield to move back to a more traditional system.
Midfield
This is where Lampard needs to make crucial decisions. He can stick with the three-man midfield that he used regularly last season. But with the players at their disposal, the manager may be tempted to shift to a two-man midfield. This could see N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Matteo Kovacic and even Ruben Loftus Cheek play in these deeper midfield roles, adding cover to the backline.
This will solve the defensive issues at the club as well. But Lampard will be short of midfield options if he wants to stick with a three-man midfield. Both Havertz and Ziyech are attack-minded players and having them in a three-man midfield spoils the balance in the side.
Attack
Lampard’s 4-2-3-1 system could see Christian Pulisic fight it out with Callum Hudson-Odoi for the left-winger’s role in the Chelsea lineup. Hakim Ziyech, who spent his time at Ajax on the wing, could be a regular in the first team on the right flank. Pulisic and Havertz have different styles of attack and could be prolific playing together.
Kai Havertz, who can also play on the right flank, is more adept in a no.10 role. The Leverkusen man was one of the most productive players in the Bundesliga last season and playing in a similar role, he could be just as devastating at Stamford Bridge. Mason Mount, who did not do much wrong last season, may have to be content with a place on the bench.
Lampard spent big on Timo Werner, who could spearhead the Chelsea lineup next season. Tammy Abraham was promising last season, but he and Giroud could get their chances when the manager decides to rotate.
Werner can play on either wing as he showed with Leipzig so Chelsea’s front line will be fluid and could potentially be one of the most dangerous attacks in world football.
Chelsea lineup (4-2-3-1)
