Chelsea: Ziyech knock gives Lampard more time to tweak tactics

Hakim Ziyech looks set to miss the season opener, but this gives Chelsea manager Frank Lampard more time to play around with his side’s set-up.

Fans everywhere are disappointed they will have to wait for Hakim Ziyech’s official Chelsea debut as the winger is out for the season opener at Brighton. The Moroccan magician’s absence thins out the side’s depth even more, but it also opens up doors for Frank Lampard.

Lampard set his team up in three different formations last season: the 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and occasionally, 3-4-3. The preseason showed the 4-2-3-1 is the go-to formation for the upcoming campaign; this may not be the case early on. While Chelsea is waiting for the likes of Ben Chilwell, Christian Pulisic and Ziyech to fully recover, Lampard has a host of tactical options.

It’s unlikely the gaffer will set his side up in the preferred 4-2-3-1 with Pulisic’s minutes limited and Ziyech not making the trip to England’s south coast. However, if he did commit to this formation, the Blues have few options on the wings. Callum Hudson-Odoi would surely be handed a start on the left with either Kai Havertz or Mason Mount opposite of him. The likely choice is Havertz, who naturally drifts higher up the pitch, which also allows for Mount to be utilized in a way in which Lampard can get the most out of him. In emergency situations, Mount is available to play out wide, but that takes away many of his best attributes. Timo Werner is expected to slot in as the sole No. 9, as he did in the lone preseason match.

However, if Lampard decides to tweak the system, the Blues have a plethora of options due to their positional flexibility. The most likely option would be a 4-3-3 with dual No. 8s. This formation would maximize the team’s attacking output given the injuries to the side. Werner would occupy the left wing with Hudson-Odoi on the right. Lampard likely gives the nod to Tammy Abraham—if Werner isn’t the starting striker—due to his fresh legs and speed. The dual eights would be obvious: Havertz and Mount. This style allows the Blues to press with efficiency and hit the Seagulls with speed and creativity once regaining possession. It also allows N’Golo Kante to sit deeper in his natural role as a defensive midfielder.

The most creative—and unlikely—option for the manager is a 3-5-2. This is something we haven’t seen from Lampard yet, but it’s something he’s hinted at before. With injuries to Chilwell and Ziyech, it’s the perfect time to test out a two-striker system and bringing in more defenders for stability. Marcos Alonso and Reece James can play as wing-backs while Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen or Antonio Rudiger can play as a back three. To ease the fears of Blues fans everywhere, two of the three remaining midfield spots can be taken up by Mateo Kovacic and Kante. Then, Lampard can deploy Havertz as a No. 10 right in behind Werner and Abraham/Olivier Giroud.

Playing in a two-striker system will allow the gaffer to address any issues he may have with the formation. It’s something Chelsea hasn’t done in a long time. Seeing as the Blues have spent a lot of money on the likes of Ziyech, Havertz and Pulisic over the last year, it’s unlikely Chelsea would stick with it, but it’s an option nonetheless.

While many will view Ziyech’s absence to start the season as a negative, it’s important to see it as an opportunity. There are a ton of questions about the starting XI heading into the season, hopefully the limited options are able to provide the answers the Chelsea coaching staff are looking for.