Chelsea predicted XI vs. Man City: Lampard sticks with 4-3-3 for clash

Frank Lampard has lined Chelsea up in a 4-3-3 formation for much of the season, expect the same for the clash with Manchester City.

Frank Lampard’s line-up for the first game back from the Coronavirus lockdown contained some unexpected faces. With another game right on the heels of the Aston Villa match, Lampard no doubt considered the game against Manchester City in the selection at Villa Park.

Lampard is expected to set the team up in a 4-3-3 again at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. This formation worked the last time out against City, despite the loss. Chelsea stuck up for itself against Man City for most of the match until silly, unnecessary individual errors were punished by a decisive and clinical City squad. Here’s the predicted XI for the reverse fixture:

Kepa Arrizabalaga (No. 1) Goalkeeper, Spain

Say what you will about Lampard’s tactics, but his man management is a stroke of brilliance. It turns out that what Arrizabalaga needed to jolt him from his string of abysmal performances was a realisation that his manager would not hesitate to field a 38-year-old backup goalkeeper in his place. Willy Caballero did not put up impressive numbers for his brief stint between the sticks for Chelsea in the Premier League this season, but the strategy worked to perfection.

Arrizabalaga has done everything better since returning to the line-up and is hopefully a long way from giving Lampard a reason to bench him again. He gets the nod on this one—obviously.

Cezar Azpilicueta (No. 28) Right back, Spain

Many questioned Lampard’s decision to start team captain Cezar Azpilicueta, despite the fans having working eyes. Fans obsession with speed and guile has blinded them to the powerhouse that is Azpilicueta. Azpilicueta has registered five assists for Chelsea in the Premier League this season. Of those five, two came in the Aston Villa match played last Sunday. He set up both goals to engineer a comeback against a compact, disciplined Aston Villa team.

Azpilicueta has gone public with his support for Reece James and has vowed to help James become the elite player he is destined to be. However, James is not that player yet and right now, the only person who can give Chelsea what Azpilicueta gives them is, well, Azpilicueta. Bastion of consistency.

Andreas Christensen (No. 4) Right centerback, Denmark

Christensen impressed for Chelsea in his last two outings. In fact, he completed nine long passes out of nine attempted against Aston Villa last Sunday. Christensen’s reading of the game saved Chelsea many times. He was more aggressive in the air and on the ground, winning six out of 10 attempted aerial duels. More of these performances and Christensen could get back to where he was meant to be in the Chelsea senior team: Starting every match.

Kurt Zouma (No. 15) Left centerback, France

Zouma has easily been Chelsea’s most consistent centerback this season and it is unclear why he was not selected in the Aston Villa game. Antonio Rudiger did not play well in his stead. Zouma’s aerial dominance would be useful against any opponent, especially City, when you consider that the Citizens don’t have many tall players. Zouma’s advantage in the air can especially be useful to Chelsea in offensive set-pieces. His superb reading of the game, combined with his ability to recover quickly and make intelligent tackles, makes him a must-start against City.

Chelsea needs all the advantages it can get.

Marcos Alonso (No. 3) Left back, Spain

Left back is anyone’s guess. Alonso has many more strengths on the field than Emerson. Alonso offers more at both ends of the pitch than Emerson.

Alonso’s positioning would be crucial in dealing with City’s off-the-ball movement. Alonso, though, makes the better case for starting for the sake of set-pieces. Chelsea has not been threatening in set-pieces this season generally, and this may be directly linked to Alonso not taking certain free kicks that would have been right up his alley. The Blues’ chances of being more productive on corners and free kicks are boosted with Alonso involved.