Chelsea are in Istanbul for a game that could just have easily taken place somewhere much closer to both club’s homes. At least it’s not Baku.
The UEFA Super Cup is an official competitive trophy, unlike the Community Shield. Even so, your level of concern over this one is probably based on the result. If Chelsea win, the Super Cup is legit. If not, meh. Frank Lampard, though, does not have that latter luxury. All trophies matter, especially the only official competitive trophy that has eluded him and the club. Here are a few things he’ll have in mind as he pursues victory over Liverpool.
1. Balancing creativity and security in midfield (Gabe Henderson)
One of the only positive takeaways from the Manchester United match was the play of the midfield. Mason Mount looked confident, Ross Barkley lively and Jorginho revived. However, there was still a lot of room for improvement. Tracking back and organization became a problem and the disciplined attack of United took advantage. I
It’s still unknown what the midfield will look like midweek, but Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kante are almost certainly going to be involved.
Liverpool is a much better team than United, in every area of the pitch. Chelsea will need to tighten up the play in midfield. The return of Kante will help that, but not fix it. While the quality is certainly there, it’ll take a much better defensive effort to stop Liverpool from battering the Blues the same way United did.
Further, Chelsea need creativity. This may drive Lampard’s team selection and formation. Mason Mount may be young, but he’s extremely talented. Lampard must decide if he is ready for Liverpool.
Quite possibly the most important thing to look for in this match is the organization. Mount and Barkley made each other better when on the pitch at the same time during the preseason. While Jorginho dictates play, Kovacic is more solid defensively and faster.
There is an abundance of talent, but many unanswered personnel questions. Liverpool will be ready and, if the Blues’ midfield isn’t, things in Istanbul could get ugly, fast.
2. Are youth ready for a “final?” (Abhishek Pancholi)
Frank Lampard made a couple of bold calls against Manchester United in his first proper game in charge of Chelsea. One of them was to try playing an attacking brand of football at Old Trafford. The second was when he put his trust in Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham to make an impact against one of the strongest sides in the league.
Despite the result, the show of faith in two academy products in a big game was Lampard laying down a marker: he would not hesitate to throw a youngster in the deep end.
Despite the result, Mount and Abraham did quite well. Mount, especially, looked like he had been playing Premier League football for years. But the question arises, will Lampard persist with the youth, now that the opportunity to win the first trophy of his managerial career is on the horizon?
The UEFA Super Cup may not be the biggest trophy on offer this season, but it is still a trophy Chelsea have never won. If N’Golo Kante is fit to play a full 90 minutes, will his inclusion send Mount to the bench? Will Olivier Giroud take his place as the focal point of the attack, pushing Abraham out of the lineup?
Only Lampard knows the answers to these questions. The Chelsea team sheet will make for interesting reading on Wednesday and indicate if Lampard opts for pragmatism over principles, or vice-versa.
3. Striker uncertainty continues (Scott Brant)
Chelsea have a bit of an issue at striker. Now I know you may be thinking, “What year is this article from?” I mean, it could be from any of the last few years.
Against Manchester United Tammy Abraham did no favors for himself. His positioning was not very good – there are two instances off the top of my head when he wasn’t where he should have been for a ball hit into or across the box. I get it, he is young, it was Old Trafford, and the match was insane for large chunks. But when Giroud came on Chelsea could have confidence that he would be in the right spots to get that big old head on the ball.
Unfortunately, there was no noticeable difference offensively. Maybe it was the tactics, or deflation from United’s rampant counter-attacking. Regardless, the Frenchman is not the answer to Chelsea’s problems anyway.
Liverpool is going to be a very tough match, no matter what the competition is or when you play them. Chelsea don’t have much to lose. They can go out and play their match because they aren’t expected to win.
This would be a great opportunity for Michy Batshuayi to be unleashed. The man came out in preseason like gangbusters, so much so that it was surprising to see Abraham earn the first start of the season. Oliver Giroud is best used off the bench, lacking the necessary energy and pace to go 75 minutes in Lampard’s system.
Liverpool will likely have the larger slice of the possession pie, which leaves Chelsea to capitalize on the counter attack. That role suits Michy Batshuayi the best of the current options, and gives the most hope of getting on the score board.
Batshuayi certainly earned his chance through preseason and last season at Crystal Palace.