Chelsea: Winners and losers in the squad upon Frank Lampard’s arrival

Frank Lampard’s appointment as Chelsea FC’s next manager seems to be a matter of days. How will a few key players in the squad fare under Lampard?

Particularly among fans who enjoyed Chelsea’s evolution under Maurizio Sarri, one point of skepticism is whether Frank Lampard has the experience – after a single year of managing in the Championship – to implement an exciting brand of attacking football this season.

Closer examination at Lampard’s style of play at Derby County suggests it could be a smooth transition. Many of the fundamentals of Sarriball could find a place in a Lampard system. Both Sarri and Lampard rely heavily on high levels of chemistry and interplay amongst the forwards in attack. The two managers set up their team to retain possession as much as possible, thus making ball-playing centre halves and goalkeepers crucial.

Especially with the transfer ban, the Chelsea lineup under Lampard should not experience huge changes by any means. Lampard would most likely look to build upon certain foundations already laid down by Sarri.

1. Winners: Mason Mount

With Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s unfortunate injury in the closing stages of the season, Mason Mount could very well reprise his role as a No. 8 in a 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 system under Lampard. In a very dynamic style of football, one which involves high levels of pressing as well as forward runs from midfield, Mount’s energy and athleticism allowed for a smooth implementation of Lampard’s ideas on the pitch at Derby.

This should hence prove decisive for the 20-year old, especially with the need to introduce a new system of play which Mount himself had been at the heart of just a year prior.

2. Winners: Tammy Abraham

In a Lampard team, the strikers must possess an excellent ability to hold up play, as well as the talent to provide quick movements within the box to finish off counter-attacks. This style of play requires both pace and power, qualities which none of Chelsea’s current roster of strikers concurrently possess.

Fortunately, the Blues still have Tammy Abraham, the most in-form striker in the Championship, coming off the back of a 26-goal season with Aston Villa.

On top of his well-earned confidence, Abraham’s frightening pace and exceptional footwork in spite of his large frame make him the perfect fit in Lampard’s 4-3-3. While Abraham has yet to prove himself in the Premier League, Lampard’s appointment would no doubt mean he would have a shot up front for the Blues’ next campaign.