Chelsea play their first game of the Champions League season later tonight as they face Europa League holders, Sevilla. The Blues haven’t been in the best of forms as they defence has continuously let manager Frank Lampard down. But Chelsea have to be at their very best, both attacking and defensively, as Sevilla is a well-oiled side and are very disciplined.
New signing Eduard Mendy is still out with his injury, but Thiago Silva is expected to be back in the starting XI. Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic are both back from their injury recoveries and are in contention to be picked against Sevilla later tonight. With a game against Manchester United in the weekend in the Premier League, expect changes from Frank Lampard tonight.
Let us now have a look at how Frank Lampard might set his Chelsea side up against Sevilla in the Champions League.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 might be the best option for Chelsea against a strong Sevilla side, that use their flanks to attack. Sevilla don’t have a great midfield and Lampard, with such a system, can set up Chelsea to dominate the game. The Chelsea boss is highly unlikely to go for Kepa Arrizabalaga even if Mendy is injured, as the Spaniard has almost always let Lampard and the team down.
Kovacic and Hudson-Odoi might have a run-out against Sevilla in the Champions League, as Lampard doesn’t fancy using them in the Premier League. Thiago Silva will surely start, but his partner might be a concern for Lampard with Zouma, Christensen, Rudiger and Tomori to chose from. It will be interesting to see if he plays Werner and Havertz or not and if not who Lampard will use instead of the Germans.
Giroud and Tammy Abraham both haven’t had a chance to prove their mettle this season and might be hoping to get a chance in the Champions League.
THE 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 is another option Lampard uses in games of such magnitude, and it can be used to counter Sevilla’s tactics as they lineup in the same system. Sevilla will also be without their main centre-back, Jules Kunde, which will give even more confidence to Lampard and Chelsea’s front men. Mason Mount will drop into the midfield in such a system, as Lampard plays him in every game and the Englishman works very hard off the ball.
Either of Kovacic or Kante are likely to play in the midfield along with Mount and Jorginho, as the latter has been superb in the recent past. The defence will again be scrutinized as Sevilla is a good side going forward, and is exceptionally good in the air. Thiago Silva will have to marshal his defence well and will have to read the game well when Sevilla is attacking.
THE 3-4-3
The 3-4-3 is a system that has been used by Chelsea in big games, but it is unlikely for Lampard to use it tonight. Rudiger might make an appearance in such a system, but Lampard has lost his trust in the German defender due to his poor decisions on the pitch. Looking at Sevilla’s personnel, Chelsea should win this game, but it will not be a walk in the park.
