Frank Lampard will have many different tactical styles to choose from with the players Chelsea have accrued though the previous managers. The question is which will he choose?
Frank Lampard is likely to play a 4-3-3 formation. It was one of his most successful formations as a player and during his short time as manager of Derby Couty. But since that’s predictable, he (and I) will already be looking at other options for his first few months at Chelsea.
Chelsea should start next season in a 3-4-2-1 formation. It would best utilize the players they have in the squad and minimize risk during the upcoming season.
The wingers Chelsea currently have are not good enough to make a difference at the Premier League level anymore. They lack the pace and efficiency to make the most of the league’s style of play. The situation would be different with Callum Hudson-Odoi in the team, but things are going to have to be different for a period while Chelsea patiently manage his recovery from his Achilles injury.
We’re also accounting for the lengthy delay until Ruben Loftus-Cheek is ready to start consistently. So though Christian Pulisic is by all means a dynamic wing player, the only other true game-changing talent Chelsea have in that role is Hudson-Odoi, and he won’t be playing at his full capacity for most of the season.
That is why Chelsea can’t begin the season in a 4-3-3. That formation depends mainly on the dynamism of its front three to create chances. While they can move in that direction over time, it will not be the best way to get results at the beginning of the season.
The best move for for Lampard to build momentum early is the 3-4-2-1.
Building from the back, Kepa Arrizabalaga must start simply because he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He’s a save artist and his little misunderstanding with Sarri last season overshadowed what was ultimately a very impressive campaign from the young Spanish king-in-the-making.
He has all the same skills and save ability of a young Gianluigi Buffon. His technical ability and ability to read the game and tactically organize his defence will only improve with experience and a greater amount of time with his backline.
The defensive solidarity of the team is going to be important, and the back three protected by two defensive midfielders will be the foundation of that relationship.
Andreas Christensen deserves to start, but it’s likely Lampard will start with David Luiz. Despite that being a mistake in footballing terms, the locker room politics point to it being the way Lampard probably will go.
Cesar Azpilicueta is the captain and deserves to be on the right, as he was for Antonio Conte as the core of that fantastic defence.
The final piece is then Kurt Zouma or Antonio Rudiger. Both ideally would be able to play as they deserve to and have the correct attitude: a desire to play for Chelsea.
N’Golo Kante and Jorginho should start the season as the defensive pair so Lampard can see how they can play together. Of all the things in the world that make sense, playing the best defensive player in the world in his position is probably one of them. He did, after all, single-handedly carry two less-than-talented teams to the Premier League title during the era of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, and then took France to a World Cup title.
Jorginho, I still have faith in. His late season tenacious streak combined with encouragement from Frank Lampard actually to pass forward will be interesting. He has shown great vision and, without Maurizio Sarri restraining him, it will be interesting to see how he capitalizes on this new development: his first season under a non-Sarri manager in many years.
The wingbacks become another reason for the 3-4-2-1. Chelsea own two left wingbacks who aren’t very good at left fullback.
Marcos Alonso is one of the most dynamic players in the league who carries an immense goal threat and creative spark when playing as a left wingback. When playing as a left fullback he’s just not very good. Emerson is similar.
Reece James, then, was one of the best players on loan last season. As a right wingback he’ll have a better adaptation to the Premier League than he would simply as a fullback. He’ll be protected and marshalled by Cesar Azpilicueta and N’Golo Kante, who can cover for his mistakes while providing him the necessary confidence to plunder further forward.
The attacking two in the midfield are deeply important. Christian Pulisic shows great potential as a creative player and should be allowed to drift in between the lines. He can drift out wide to the right and still play as a winger, but then moving inside allows him to maximize his under-regarded passing, vision and motor.
The other position could theoretically be filled by Jorginho, who I am curious about in a No. 10 role. But more likely it will be any of Ross Barkley, Willian or Mason Mount.
Barkley would play in the more free role he had at Everton and for England. Lampard could be the perfect mentor for him, as for Mason Mount in the role as well.
Willian often plays that role for Brazil and did at Shaktar Donetsk. Willian is, in some ways, past his best: the version he was under Jose Mourinho that everybody seems to reference, despite that being several years ago. Moving him towards the center of the pitch will put him and his skillset on the ball more. Willian is still a fantastically talented player, but isolating him on the wing where he only has a few options is ridiculous at this point of his career.
Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud would then lead the line. As traditional No. 9’s, they should have 10-15 crosses played into them from various angles during the match.
If they play on the edge of the last defender it will help keep the opposition back while also providing the option for the occasional through ball. This is much the way Fernando Torres terrorized defenses for Liverpool under Rafael Benitez in the early 2000’s .
In the end this isn’t how Chelsea should play forever and maybe not even for the full season. But it would be the most functional way to start the season and help them build their momentum.
The 3-4-2-1 maximizes their talent while not risking too much. It also doesn’t expect the players to learn too many new skills too quickly while they bond, learn their routines and adapt to life under their new manager.