Three games, no wins. Saturday’s game against Norwich City, one of the newly-promoted sides, surely represents Frank Lampard’s best chance so far to get off the mark as Chelsea manager.
His best team may not yet be clear, and as such, it remains to be seen what team he puts out against the Canaries at Carrow Road. Here, we predict his next starting XI.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is in no danger of losing his place in goal, and will once again take the gloves.
The back four should be the same one that has start all three of the previous games. That means Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back, Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen at centre-back and Emerson at left-back. The latter has impressed this season, and it seems his place is the least under threat. But with Antonio Rudiger expected to be in contention next week and Reece James soon to return from injury, the other three need big performances to guarantee their spots in the side.
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Lampard has flitted between a three and a two in central midfield so far this season, but considering the Blues should be in the ascendancy this weekend, he should revert to the two. Jorginho is expected keep his place, whilst N’Golo Kante should slot in alongside him. He is being assessed ahead of the match.
Ahead of them, Pedro and Christian Pulisic should be given another chance to prove themselves. Neither have found the net so far this season, and one feels that Lampard will need them to get on the scoresheet soon. Otherwise, he may feel obliged to turn to Willian and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Mason Mount should take the number 10 role after netting last week against Leicester.
The striker position should see the one change to the team. Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud seem interchangeable at this point, and with the latter having played last week and ended up goalless, the former may get another nod. Michy Batshuayi scored twice this week for Chelsea’s development squad, but still appears to be quite far down the pecking order.