Chelsea FC were slammed with a transfer ban last summer, which didn’t allow the club to sign new players last season. Frank Lampard was given the tedious job of steadying the ship at Chelsea after the departure of talismanic Eden Hazard. The Chelsea legend has done very well though, as the Blues finished 4th in the Premier League table with a lot of inexperienced campaigners.
Frank Lampard has been repaid well though for his team’s performances this season, with signings like Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech. The Blues haven’t just stopped there and are still looking to add to their attack, with Bayer Leverkusen talisman Kai Havertz. The German has played very well in the Bundesliga
The combined forces of the three above-mentioned players should be lethal and take the Premier League by storm. The best part about the three players is that they can play anywhere in the top-four attacking positions on the pitch.
With Havertz keen to move to London, let us have a look at how Chelsea will lineup with Kai Havertz.
THE 4-3-3
Lampard has also used this formation in the Premier League and has found great success with it using Kante as the pivot. Mount and Kovacic have arguably been Chelsea’s best players this season and in such a formation both the players will likely feature.
The physicality of Havertz will be helpful in such a formation, as he will be able to hold up the ball when necessary and also hit on the counter. This side will have blistering pace and will also have the quality to move the ball around, which will be a deadly combination.
THE 4-4-2
The 4-4-2 is a rather traditional formation, using 4 midfielders instead of out-and-out wingers, giving them defensive responsibility as well. But Havertz and Werner might just turn out to be one of the best attacking pairs because of their complementing qualities. Werner’s brute pace and finishing will complement Havertz’s physicality and quality on the ball, as he can pick a pass as well as shoot from distance.
But the real problem in such a formation will be Ziyech’s positional play and his defensive input. Ziyech predominantly played as a right-winger at Ajax but generally drifts in leaving spaces for his full-back to cover, which might be risky in the Premier League.
THE 4-2-3-1
Frank Lampard will most likely use this formation next season, as it will accommodate most of his best players in Chelsea. The versatility and fluidity of the attack will be maximized in such a formation, as it will be a blend of both attack as well as defensive solidity.
But with three new arrivals in the Premier League, Lampard might find it difficult to get quick results, without a proper preseason tour. But once this front-four gets going, it will be really difficult for any side to contain them because of their collective talent and versatility.
THE 4-2-3-1 (ALTERNATIVE)
THE 3-5-2
The 3-5-2 has been Lampard’s go-to formation in crunch and tough games as Chelsea’s manager has emphasized on his defence first. Ziyech might struggle in such a formation though because of his lack of physicality and will need to do a lot of running in such games. Thus, don’t be surprised to see Mount preferred over Ziyech in a crunch game, with such a formation.
With Kai Havertz in their side, Chelsea are expected to become better and will try to sign him as soon as possible. It has been reported that the German international has already agreed on personal terms and only a transfer fee needs to be agreed with Leverkusen.
