Chelsea are back in action in the Premier League as they travel to West Brom this weekend. The Blues of Chelsea will be high on confidence after cruising past Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, a couple of days earlier. With the likes of Thiago Silva making his debut for Chelsea and their new signing Mendy completing his move to Chelsea, we will see a strong Chelsea side against West Brom.
Lampard will want to play Mendy as soon as possible and the keeper has a huge chance to have his debut on Saturday. Thiago Silva is also likely to have his debut in the Premier League as he played well in the Carabao Cup game. On Saturday, we might see a glimpse of how Chelsea could lineup for the rest of the season, with most of their important players fit to start the game.
Let us now have a look at how Chelsea might lineup against West Brom in their Premier League encounter on Saturday.
THE 4-2-3-1
With Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Mendy ready to make their Chelsea debuts in the Premier League, Lampard finally might have a good defence. Kepa Arrizabalaga has been dismal in between the sticks and the signing of Mendy will be a relief for Lampard as well as the Chelsea fanbase. It is likely for the manager to use Havertz in the No.10 role instead of the right-wing after his performance in the Carabao Cup game.
The German international scored a hattrick against Barnsley and will be hoping to maintain his scoring record. Ngolo Kante and Kovacic are expected to fill up the midfield pivot as both the players have a great work ethic and have done well lately. Timo Werner will lead the line for Chelsea and is expected to be on the scoresheet as West Brom don’t feature a great defence.
THE 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 formation might be an option if Lampard goes for the ultra-attacking mode, as this is a more attacking system than the 4-2-3-1. The midfield is likely to have Kante, Jorginho and Kovacic with Jorginho sitting deep to dictate play and set the tempo for Chelsea. The defence and attack will be bolstered by the addition of Chilwell, who has a great left-foot and is also a better defender than Alonso.
Abraham played well in the Carabao Cup and thus might retain a spot in the starting XI as Werner’s pace will work well down the left side. Havertz, in such a system, will be expected to play in the right-wing instead of his favourite No.10 spot. Christian Pulisic might also return in the game and his pace and directness will be helpful in the latter stages of the game.
THE 3-4-3
Although highly unlikely, Lampard might revert to his 3-4-3 system to let his debutants settle down to English football. This system is a fairly defensive system but can also be used as an attacking formation if the full-backs play higher up the pitch. The likes of Kovacic and Kante will have to be on song and have to dominate the midfield for Chelsea to have any chance of being successful in the 3-4-3.
Against newcomers West Brom, Chelsea will be expected to win and are most likely to use the 4-2-3-1 system. Only time will tell how Chelsea would lineup this weekend in the Premier League.
