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Chelsea analysis: The forwards new and old give Blues spark

By Michael DeVito

WATFORD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Tammy Abraham after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Chelsea FC at Vicarage Road on November 02, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Tammy Abraham after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Chelsea FC at Vicarage Road on November 02, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 19: Tammy Abraham of Chelsea battles for possession with Harry Maguire of Manchester United during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andy Rain/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 19: Tammy Abraham of Chelsea battles for possession with Harry Maguire of Manchester United during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andy Rain/Pool via Getty Images) /

The other talent

Any team in the Premier League that hopes to contend for a title has to first have great first-team talent on hand. That limits the number dramatically. But even if they meet that prerequisite, they also have to have the depth required to fill in places in the team should any players, especially any key players be injured. On occasion, a club may enjoy supreme luck and experience few if any major injuries at all in a season. That’s the ultimate positive situation. But in reality, that will happen infrequently. A club can’t count on it. A club must have strength in depth to withstand the losses that may occur due to injury and just the normal attrition of fatigue.

This coming season, Chelsea is well equipped to do just that where previously it was a significant if not game changing issue for the Blues. Callum Hudson-Odoi, a world class young player prior to his serious Achilles injury is seeking to regain that level again. He can deputize on either the left or right wing, bringing a whole bevy of different problems for a defense. His dribbling skills are off the charts and he can finish as well. With the departures of Pedro and Willian, he will be called upon to fill in and to augment the top three early and often this season. He most certainly will be up to the challenge.

At center forward, Lampard has two outstanding talents to bring in to either rest Werner or be used in conjunction with the German national scorer to further augment the Chelsea attack. Tammy Abraham, a product of the Chelsea Academy, had a sound first season for the Blues scoring 18 goals with 5 assists in all competitions, a solid season for sure. While he tailed off a bit after a blistering start to the season, and later on an injury seriously curtailed his production, to his credit, he toiled on for Lampard nonetheless. All in all, it was a solid premiere season for Abraham and he is expected to provide similar production this year.

Also available is the amazing French World Cup winner, Olivier Giroud. He is one of the most underrated center forwards on the planet. Giroud can hold up play as well as anyone in world football. In addition, Giroud is a clinical finisher whose efforts after the suspension of play due to the pandemic helped secure Champions League football for the Blues this season. His contribution cannot be minimized. Once Lampard inserted him into the starting lineup for the injured Abraham, Giroud excelled and helped carry the club along with Pulisic. There was little to choose between Pulisic and Giroud for the most valuable Chelsea player after the suspension. Both (along with Willian) were brilliant.

Next. Gregg Berhalter needs to stay in his lane on Chelsea and Christian Pulisic. dark

That’s the superlative Chelsea front line for next season. For the purposes of this exercise, Mason Mount will be considered a midfielder. It’s his best position going forward along with Kai Havertz in a dual No. 8 setup. Mount adds a tremendous work rate along with excellent defensive skills and attacking prowess to the midfield, but more on that later. Next up, The new Chelsea Midfield.

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