To everyone’s surprise, Chelsea have been the dark horse of the summer transfer window so far with several great signings. The club hasn’t shied away from making big money moves as they have sold players equally well. Last summer’s transfer ban has turned into a boon for Chelsea Football Club, who are basking with new signings and could potentially be Premier League title contenders.
Chelsea have signed the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr and Ben Chilwell already this summer. It has been reported that they are close to several other targets as well and might sign more before the window closes. But signings in the transfer will only be fruitful when they start performing on the pitch.
With the Premier League about to start this weekend, Chelsea’s and Frank Lampard’s real test of bonding this team will start. So many superstars don’t always mean success, thus Lampard will have to be very careful while handling all his Chelsea players. The Blues of Chelsea face Brighton away from home, which is considered a tough place to visit.
Despite so many signings this summer, Lampard will only have about a couple of new signings to feature in the first game of the Premier League. As reported earlier, Ziyech and Chilwell will not be fit for the game as both of them are trying to recover from their injuries. Thiago Silva will also not feature for Chelsea, as Lampard has informed the Brazilian is yet to train with Chelsea.
On the other hand, Malang Sarr was set to go on-loan but a deal for him hasn’t been agreed. This means Lampard will only have Werner and Havertz from his new signings, to include in his first starting XI in the Premier League next season. Let us now have a look at how Chelsea might set up against Brighton in their opening fixture of the Premier League.
THE 4-3-3
Lampard has used the 4-3-3 the most of the times against weaker oppositions as Chelsea dominate possession. With Havertz, Pulisic and Werner in the side, the Blues will enjoy more dynamism than they used to have with Willian and Tammy Abraham instead. Werner has already scored in his first friendly for Chelsea, and will be expected to be on the score-sheet again.
In such a system, Mount, Kovacic and Kante are expected to be the midfield trio with Kante edging past Jorginho. The Frenchman looked in great shape for France and is seems to be hungry to have a good season in the Premier League. Chelsea’s defence will be the same as last season without Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr, with Rudiger and Zouma at the heart of the Chelsea defence.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 has also been used several times by Frank Lampard as he tried to get the best possible balance in his Chelsea side. This formation will probably see the same lineup as well but with Mount having an advance role. Kovacic and Kante will be used as a double pivot and will screen the defence and let the full-backs dart forward.
Pulisic and Havertz both generally play as inverted wingers and thus there will be loads of room to attack down the line. This formation will also help Lampard to flood the centre of the park as Chelsea will surely dominate possession against Brighton. Defensively, Chelsea will have to be aware of Brighton’s aerial threat and should avoid conceding set-pieces near their box.
THE 3-5-2
Though very unlikely, Lampard might as well use the 3-5-2 formation against Brighton to attack the opposition for the onset. Lampard has only used this formation in crunch games and against stronger oppositions, thus it will be very unlikely to see this formation employed by the Blues on Saturday.
