Chelsea had a poor performance last weekend against West Bromwich Albion as the Blues came back from a 3-nil deficit to a 3-3 draw. The Blues of Chelsea were expected to win against the newbies of the Premier League, but their defence let them down. Frank Lampard has a difficult game mid-week though, with Jose Mourinho and the London derby waiting for Chelsea.
The master will face his apprentice as Tottenham face Chelsea tomorrow in the Carabao Cup. Tottenham have a good side and can beat any team on their day, especially with Mourinho’s super tactics and systems. Lampard has a tough job in his hands as he looks to get past his former manager Jose Mourinho.
The game should be enthralling to watch for the neutrals as both the sides will fight it out until the last whistle. Let us now have a look at how Chelsea might lineup against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup fixture tomorrow.
THE 4-2-3-1
With Marcos Alonso’s nightmare of a game last weekend in the Premier League, Ben Chilwell is expected to get his first start for Chelsea tomorrow. Thiago Silva also had a howler against West Brom and might start again, to bring back his match fitness and concentration. New signing, Mendy is also very likely to make his debut for Chelsea as he will look to settle as soon as possible between the sticks.
Jorginho and Ross Barkley are expected to anchor the midfield with either Mount, Havertz or Loftus-Cheek playing in the No.10 position. On the back of his great performance last weekend from the bench, Hudson-Odoi will surely be a starter against Tottenham. But what is unsure is the No.9 spot, which can be taken by either of Tammy Abraham or Olivier Giroud.
With a pacy Tottenham side eager on the counter-attack, Chelsea will have to be defensively solid to have any chance of winning the game.
THE 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 system is also likely to see almost the same personnel as most of the Chelsea players are very versatile. This formation will be helpful against a team like Tottenham as Spurs, under Mourinho, like to sit back and hit on the counter. With Jorginho pulling the strings deep from the midfield, Barkley and Loftus-Cheek can engage themselves up-front and create more chances.
In such a system, the full-backs will push forward and have the license to make the overlapping runs and put in crosses from both sides. But looking at Jorginho’s lack of pace, either of Barkley or Loftus-Cheek will have to be wary of a quick counter-attack from Tottenham. The pace of Bergwijn and Lucas Moura will be pivotal for Spurs and if Chelsea manage that, they have a great chance of winning.
THE 3-4-3
Though unlikely, Lampard might use the 3-4-3 system to counter Mourinho’s counter-attacking system. The wing-backs will enable Chelsea to keep a back-four every time, even if Chelsea attack as if one will go the other will stay in his position. But the problem with this formation is, this system can not be used to attack a lot which will hinder Chelsea’s chances of winning.
