A heavy loss against Manchester United will make many question some tactical decisions of Frank Lampard. Chelsea has steps to take first before any leaps.
Etched into the minds of many is the 3-0 loss to Arsenal early in Antonio Conte’s reign. Not because of the loss itself, but because of the changes that followed. Gone was the 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 used during the entirety of preseason and up to that point. In came the 3-4-3 and with it the Premier League.
Since then, any substantial loss has led to a desire for something completely different. Frank Lampard and Chelsea’s 4-0 loss to Manchester United is no different. The 4-2-3-1, it seems, has failed and now it is time for something entirely different.
But there are plenty of reasons why now really is not the time. Most of the starting XI against United made sense, but that does not mean it is not ultimately missing key figures. Fans will debate over who would have been in had they been fit, but a few could have changed things. Those are the steps Lampard needs to take before begins making any leaps.
Defensively, Chelsea was a mess. The midfield was often bypassed or simply overrun and the defensive line had about as much organization as a herd of cats. Almost undoubtedly missing from those areas were N’Golo Kante and Antonio Rudiger.
Kante thrives as a midfielder who can defend anywhere. In the chaos of Chelsea’s defensive shape, he could have been the safety net. Lampard was right not to risk him, but it is hard to take full stock of the defensive issues before seeing what remains with Kante in the side.
Rudiger also falls into this category. He is Chelsea’s best centerback and offers a long ball that only Andreas Christensen possesses (though rarely uses). With him in the backline, things could have been somewhat safer.
Things perhaps might have gone better with two true wingers in the side. Ross Barkley and Mason Mount both lit things up during preseason and Lampard’s wingers often come narrow as a principle, but Barkley and Emerson seemed confused by one another as to who should be moving into the wider areas. Christian Pulisic could have offered something different had he started but it is understandable if Lampard was saving him for Liverpool.
Striker will remain an open ended question for some time yet. Michy Batshuayi is a poacher, Olivier Giroud can pull something from nothing, and Tammy Abraham seems to be the hardest worker and perhaps the most well rounded (though a jack of all trades is a master of none). Even with the 10 behind the striker at full strength, getting the right striker for the situation could be more important than playing the best or most in form striker.
There is also the matter of Reece James. He is not near fitness, but Lampard’s comments specifically mentioning him should be ominous to Cesar Azpilicueta. Azpilicueta is still a good player, but Lampard seems to understand that his showcase against United was unacceptable and that James has a legitimate chance at the spot.
So before considering the 4-diamond-2 fulltime or a straight 4-4-2 or any sort of back three, Lampard needs to see how things look with a full squad available. If the issues still persist even with Kante and Rudiger (and perhaps others), then Lampard will need to make the leap to something new. But until then, stay the course and prepare for the steps of integrating the returning players.