Chelsea predicted XI at Burnley: Lampard gives the 4-2-3-1 another try

Chelsea travels to Burnley to take on the Clarets in affair that gives the Blues fits every year. What is Frank Lampard’s best XI for the game ahead?

Chelsea travels to take on historically difficult opponents at Turf Moor. Burnley has only picked up one point this season, but the Clarets were very close to picking up another against Tottenham Hotspur in their last match. They’re as disciplined as you’d expect a Sean Dyche team to be. Chelsea has kept three clean sheets in their last three matches, long may it last. Some players need to rest, but who gets the nod against Burnley?

Edouard Mendy (No. 16) Goalkeeper, Senegal

Mendy has shown beyond doubt that he is what Chelsea has needed all along. He has conceded just one goal behind three different centerback pairings and he does the simple things excellently, which—when you think about it—is what top goalkeepers do. Mendy’s shot-stopping ability is superb, he has saved all the shots he’s faced for three matches straight, regardless of the competition. Mendy has solved Chelsea’s goalkeeping crisis.

Reece James (No. 24) Right back, England

James has been Chelsea’s best performer this year. Offensively, he has created one big chance in the league, no Chelsea player has created more. He has the stamina to contribute in both aspects of the game. The youngster has been making constant runs down the right flank, creating the overload and giving the opposing wide men a lot to worry about. James’ crosses are a constant source of goal scoring opportunities.

Thiago Silva (No. 6) Centerback, Brazil

Silva was absent from the roster in the last match and people were “demanding” explanations. It’s OK for a 36 year-old to sit out a match 72 hours after he has already played one. He has completed five long balls per game in the Premier League, which is impressive for any centerback. His communication with Zouma and Mendy is evidently yielding results, so the Brazilian international should continue to start.

Kurt Zouma (No. 15) Centerback, France

Zouma is Chelsea’s most complete centerback. He is just as effective in the air as he is on the ground. Zouma has completed 5. 8 long balls per game, more than Virgil van Dijk’s 5.6. He has won 90 percent of his aerial duels, as well. The Frenchman boasts a pass completion of 90 percent, on par with van Dijk, who is the gold standard for Premier League centerhalves. Zouma has also shown how dangerous he is offensively, having already scored two goals. Turns out Jose Mourinho was right about Zouma after all.

Ben Chilwell (No. 21) Left back, England

Chilwell did not play well against FC Krasnodar, but that was perhaps because he wasn’t at 100 percent fitness, or at least 96 percent. His crosses did not connect and he wasn’t sharp overall. He needs to rest, but he’s also essential to the line-up against Burnley. Lampard’s job is very difficult in this regard. Does he trust Marcos Alonso or Emerson in order to rest Chilwell, or does he hope Chilwell is rested enough to dominate the Clarets? Chilwell leads the Blues in key passes per game (3.0); he’s a reliable creative outlet from a defense that is not known for chance creation.

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

Kante has become the object of many fans’ irritation—and it’s baffling. It is true that Kante’s passing has been woeful in the past few games, but he leads all Chelsea players in interceptions per game (3.3), ranking fifth in the league. Kante is Chelsea’s best defensive-minded midfielder and he has found himself in positions that force him to act as a playmaker, making people annoyed. His role in Chelsea’s clean sheets has not gone unnoticed.

Mateo Kovacic (No. 17) Central midfielder, Croatia

Kovacic played very well against Krasnodar. Kovacic did everything he was expected to, giving space for the more creative players to express themselves. His quick decision making and rare ability to get out of tight spaces will come in very handy against a hyper-organized Burnley. His strength would be crucial too, as the Turf Moor residents are not lacking in that department at all.

Kai Havertz (No. 29) Attacking midfielder, Germany

Havertz’s link-up play with Ziyech, Werner and later Pulisic was a sight to behold. He’s improving the creative aspects of his game, which is good to see. The German wunderkind communicated well with Ziyech to know when to either drift to the wings or hold his position. Havertz’s work rate has also been on display since day one, and no, it wasn’t just to impress the manager. Havertz, like any normal player, is taking time to adjust to a very tough league—he’ll come good.

Hakim Ziyech (No. 22) Right winger, Morocco

Ziyech showed just a glimpse of how different a game can be when he starts. He always made the right decision with the ball. The Moroccan Magician is yet to start heavily affecting chance creation, but his goal highlighted his excellent technical ability. He controlled the ball closely—despite being jockeyed by two Krasnodar players—and finished from the most unlikely angle. Due to this, Lampard was full of praise for the Dutch-born Moroccan and rightly so.

Tammy Abraham (No. 9) Striker, England

Abraham was on the pitch for ten minutes and still impacted the scoreline, which speaks volume to his play lately. Timo Werner needs a rest and despite the fact that the German striker scored and assisted in his last outing, he still shouldn’t have started. Werner looked tired for large parts of the game and Lampard has to give Abraham opportunities at some point. Ten-minute cameos aren’t enough to make a substantial case, though Abraham has been clinical, to his credit.

Christian Pulisic (No. 10) Left winger, United States

Pulisic was more involved in Chelsea’s drubbing of Krasnodar than initially believed. The Blues were limited to one goal until he came in, but when he was on, he gave the attack more bite and communicated well with the other forwards. His positioning was very good, making himself available to score the goal. That goal topped off a brilliant substitute performance by the American and justified a start against Burnley.

Next. Chelsea talking tactics: Patience, vigilance needed against Burnley. dark

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