Chelsea predicted XI vs Norwich City: N’Golo Kante back at midfield fulcrum
Midfield: N’Golo Kante, 7, France
Having previously mooted the idea of N’Golo Kante sitting in front of the back four, maybe this will be the game that Super Frank Lampard tries it.
This game has 4-1-2-2-1 written all over it. Of course, to play anywhere in midfield it’s essential to have a cool in-with-the-in-crowd name. Kante is the fulcrum around whom the two midfield players in front pivot. The pivot is forward of the fulcrum.
All that nonsense aside, Kante’s first real action of the season at the weekend saw him covering all areas of the field like a wandering minstrel, breaking up play at will. Playing the Frenchman up field may prevent attacks from getting started but once Kante has been bypassed, where’s the back-up?
You can’t have the fulcrum above the pivot. That just won’t work.
come back for this. Loaning Tiemoue Bakayoko or Michy Batshuayi is too risky. light
Midfield: Ross Barkley, 8, England
Jorginho has more than proved his worth to Frank Lampard’s Chelsea but there is still some way to go before the starting XI can be considered set. Lampard needs to assess all options, preferably before the international break, and a game against Norwich is as good a place as any.
With Kante protecting the back four, the two genuine pivots in front will be able to play that bit further forward. This will suit Barkley’s rampaging, shoot-on-sight attitude much better than Jorginho’s more cultured approach.
With goals hard to come by, Barkley’s goal threat adds a touch of insurance behind the front three.
Midfield: Mason Mount, 19, England
Mason Mount will bring experience to this game that some of his colleagues don’t have. A working knowledge of the opposition from last season will potentially give him an edge.
We know he has the ability and we know he has the desire to go all the way at Chelsea. Getting into his second season playing for Lampard and Jody Morris, he certainly trusts the process. Some cynics may go as far as to call Mount, Lampard’s son. How ridiculous.
Chelsea caught Leicester cold on Sunday. Had they taken their early chances they could have been out of sight by half-time. Mount was instrumental in bringing that about by pressing so high up the field. More of the same is required, however, it needs to be judiciously used.