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Chelsea’s 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 predicted XI with Kai Havertz and company

By Travis Tyler

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea celebrates victory during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on December 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea celebrates victory during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on December 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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TALLINN, ESTONIA – OCTOBER 13: Kai Havertz of Germany in action during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Estonia and Germany on October 13, 2019 in Tallinn, Estonia. (Photo by Mike Kireev/MB Media/Getty Images)
TALLINN, ESTONIA – OCTOBER 13: Kai Havertz of Germany in action during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Estonia and Germany on October 13, 2019 in Tallinn, Estonia. (Photo by Mike Kireev/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Kai Havertz (No. ?) Central midfielder, Germany

The one everyone came to see, Havertz is most likely going to line up in Chelsea’s midfield. He can play on both wings and as a striker as well, but Lampard will surely want him more centrally to pull the strings throughout the side. He will probably be given plenty of license to roam so the line between a 4-3-3 with Havertz as an eight and a 4-2-3-1 with Havertz as a 10 may be very blurred and dependent on who lines up in midfield with him.

N’Golo Kante (No. 7) Central midfielder, France

A fit Kante will be needed to hold the front five and the back four together. Historically (an odd thing to say about a manager not yet in his third year), Lampard has his side play out of the back through the fullbacks rather than the deepest midfielder, so 1000 passes a game is not needed. Someone who can sweep up danger is needed and that is Kante’s forte. A deputy is still needed for Kante, but until then it will be his job alone.

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Mason Mount (No. 19) Central midfielder, England OR Mateo Kovacic (No. 17) Central Midfielder

Most XI’s are coming down to this either or. Kovacic is easily the better player, but he is also a bit of an awkward player to fit into an XI. Mount was one of Lampard’s most used players last season, but he is still a bit of a diamond in the rough as he looks to develop his game. But if the opponent and their style is looked at, the choice between the two can become much clearer.

If Chelsea is expecting their opponent to sit off and dare the Blues to break them down, that is where Mount will come in. He is not really a playmaker on the ball, but his movement off the ball can create just as much danger. A 4-3-3 and rotations with Havertz and the wingers to open up space suits Mount, and he will be the first to lead the press to regain possession if it is lost.

Mateo Kovacic is arguably Chelsea’s most talented player overall, but his skill set is more about connecting others than putting on any finishing touches. If the opponent is expected to press and deny the Blues space, the back and forth tandem of Kovacic and Kante in a 4-2-3-1 is the way to go. It allows for the most press resistant pair while also being well suited to break into space.

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