Chelsea predicted XI vs. Spurs: Lampard ditches 3-4-3 for 4-3-3

Tottenham Hotspur's French midfielder Moussa Sissoko (L) vies with Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount during the English League Cup fourth round football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on September 29, 2020. (Photo by NEIL HALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NEIL HALL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Tottenham Hotspur’s French midfielder Moussa Sissoko (L) vies with Chelsea’s English midfielder Mason Mount during the English League Cup fourth round football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on September 29, 2020. (Photo by NEIL HALL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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

Chelsea has the best defensive midfielder in the league—and possibly the world—in Kante. He leads the team in interceptions, as well as tackles, and that’s not a coincidence. The midfield will be very important in this game seeing as Spurs have a balanced midfield as well. It’s important that Lampard also gets his middle of the park correct. Kante will be perfect for screening the back four. He’s Chelsea’s best midfielder and it’s not surprising that he starts almost all the time when he’s fit. He’s already won two Premier League titles, he’s due a third.

Mason Mount (No. 19) Central midfielder, England

A lot has been said about Mount recently, but he just shuts the noise out and keeps doing everything his manager likes. His assist against Rennes in the Champions League midweek epitomizes what Mount has been for the Blues: a workaholic midfielder who contributes as much to attacking. Mount isn’t just “pressing and vibes”, he leads the blues in key passes too. He ranks second in tackles per game for central midfielders at the club and third overall for Chelsea players.

Kai Havertz (No. 29) Central midfielder, Germany

Havertz has been down with COVID-19 for a few weeks now. Thankfully, he seems to have recovered and is back to being his normal self. Lampard will want his star man for this match, especially now he’s fit. Havertz is still yet to hit full stride this season, so more should still be expected from him. His technical quality will come in handy as Chelsea will not have that many chances to catch Spurs out. Clinical passes and clinical finishing could very well decide the game; Havertz is good for both.

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