Wrapping up our three part series on the season so far and the winter ahead, our contributors give their thoughts on Chelsea’s best XI and position.
Frank Lampard has more or less settled on a team for the first few months of the season. But injury returns and other variables can change how the XI shapes up. Then there is the not so small matter of whether Chelsea is in a title race or if this is a little horse season. Our contributors close out with their perspectives on the topics.
Best XI right now
Scott Brant: 4-3-3, Kepa Arrizabalaga; Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, Emerson; N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic; Willian, Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic
Varun Dani: 4-2-3-1, Arrizabalaga; Reece James, Zouma, Tomori, Emerson; Kante, Jorginho; Willian, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic; Abraham
Gabe Henderson: 4-3-3, Arrizabalaga; James, Rudiger, Tomori, Emerson, Loftus-Cheek, Kante, Mason Mount; Callum Hudson-Odoi, Abraham,Pulisic
Nate Hofmann: 4-3-3; Arrizabalaga; James, Rudiger, Tomori, Emerson; Kante, Jorginho, Mount; Willian, Abraham, Pulisic
Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 4-2-3-1, Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Marcos Alonso; Kante, Kovacic; Willian, Mount, Pulisic; Abraham
Abhishek Pancholi: 4-2-3-1, Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Emerson; Kovacic, Kante; Pulisic, Mount, Willian; Abraham
Barrett Rouen: 4-3-3, Arrizabalaga; James, Zouma, Tomori, Azpilicueta; Kovacic, Kante(Jorginho until all red flags are gone but then let’s have some respect for the World Cup winner), Mount; Willian,Tammy, Pulisic
Oliver Smith: 4-2-3-1, Arrizabalaga; James, Zouma, Tomori, Emerson; Kante, Jorginho; Willian, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic; Abraham