Frank Lampard’s tactical toolbox: Four formations Chelsea can use

3. 4-4-2

Potential XI: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell; Hakim Ziyech, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic; Christian Pulisic; Tammy Abraham, Timo Werner

When Timo Werner signed for Chelsea, it was assumed that Lampard would find a way to play him with Tammy Abraham instead of in his place. Then Abraham began to struggle, Olivier Giroud passed him in the depth chart, and suddenly Werner looked as though he would be the lone man up top for the new season.

That raised a different set of concerns. Werner has played the majority of his career in a partnership up top. Playing as a lone striker is a much different job and he has at times struggled to do so. Lampard’s work around already seems to be having a midfielder (Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the friendly against Brighton, most likely Havertz during the season) move up and fill in any space vacated by Werner. This created a “strike partner” for Werner to play off of without really doing so.

But there will be times when two up top will be the way to go for Lampard and Chelsea. The formation went from having a bad rap and being seen as old fashioned to becoming a bit of a hipster’s choice afterwards. The main issue is that, outside of the striker, the 4-4-2 asks more of every individual player so it simply became easier to use 4-3-3.

This formation will likely get its most use as a late game shape to try to claw back a lead. In practice, it will not be a great deal different than the 4-2-3-1, especially with inverted wingers, but the added striker will make it more potent on offense.

Chelsea’s versatility in attackers could also create a few variations to the shape as well. Lampard could opt to use Callum Hudson-Odoi on the left and Pulisic on the right to have two true wingers. Havertz could line up as a forward that drops deep and knits things together. Olivier Giroud could sit up top, collect crosses, and flick on teammates for goals.

From the start of a match, this formation might be best to just get some players rotated in but it could also be good against three at the back shapes. Generally, a team wants to underload, not overload the opponents defense. One striker and two wingers/inside forwards can occupy four defenders arguably better than four can. Three at the back (which usually changes to five at the back) can outnumber the three attackers or match them in a way that is not beneficial. Two strikers up top supported by two wingers can counteract that.

If 4-2-3-1 finds itself as the main formation during the season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see 4-4-2 become a close second given how Havertz may operate. It does ask more of the individuals, but Lampard wanted a versatile, high pressing squad for a reason.