Chelsea FC had a superb summer transfer window, with the club doing great business, arguably the best in the world this summer. But the Blues are yet to perform well on the pitch as they have now put on a string of poor performances. Chelsea face Crystal Palace tomorrow in the Premier League, with stakes high, as the Blues need to get points on the board.
The draw against West Brom last weekend and the subsequent loss to Tottenham in mid-week, in the Carabao Cup. Chelsea have failed to perform at their level best and are still trying to cope up with all the new signings by the club. Crystal Palace will be a tricky fixture, as the Eagles have already beaten Manchester United at the beginning of this season.
Let us now have a look at how Chelsea might lineup against Crystal Palace in the Premier League fixture tomorrow.
THE 4-2-3-1
This is arguably Chelsea’s strongest starting XI right now, with the players available at Lampard’s disposal. The Chelsea manager has lost all faith in keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and thus it is expected of Mendy to start tomorrow against Crystal Palace. Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva will also make it to the starting XI after the horrendous performance of Marcos Alonso last weekend against West Bromwich Albion.
Kante and Kovacic are favourites to take the midfield pivot positions, and both of them will be responsible of the game’s pace. Hudson-Odoi has attracted interest from elsewhere with his recent performances and was one of the best Chelsea’s best players last weekend. His selection is very likely and so is the selection of Mason Mount, who started Chelsea’s comeback from a 3-0 score last weekend in the Premier League.
The onus of scoring goals will again be on the shoulders of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, both the new Chelsea signings.
THE 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 is a much more aggressive system than the 4-2-3-1 formation and it will also see Kovacic move further up the pitch. With Kante also the pivot, Chelsea can attack more with the Frenchman covering the defence and the side-backs. The side-backs have more freedom in such a system and both Chilwell and James are good at crossing the ball into the box and providing width.
But this system might not be very effective against Crystal Palace as the Eagles have a very compact defensive shape. Lampard’s men will have to try hard to stretch the Palace defence before putting a cross in the box but might not go that way always and mix it up with Havertz and Werner. Jorginho might have a place in such a system as he is better at distributing the ball, but he is poor with his defensive abilities.
Instead of Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham might as well take his place in the starting XI, where he plays as the No.9 and Werner plays on the left-wing.
THE 3-4-3
The 3-4-3 might be a great system to go against the likes of Crystal Palace if it is used as an attacking formation. The wing-backs will push further up the pitch which will allow the wingers to force inwards and attack Palace’s box. Kante and Kovacic will have to be at their best though as Palace are very good at soaking the pressure and counter-attacking.
