How Chelsea Could Line Up Against Brighton: Let’s Take A Look At Lampard’s Options

Content Editor

4 years ago

Having made six senior signings during the transfer window, manager Frank Lampard will need time to bed in all of his new recruits.

There is a risk when you sign so many players that they may not gel together straight away, and with a lack of preseason games before the first match against Brighton on Monday, it is certainly a legitimate concern.

Lampard will be aware that he needs to get the balance right, and his first team selection of the season may serve up some surprises as he keeps back some of his key signings.

Press the next page as we predict how the Blues could line up against the Seagulls at the Amex.

GK – Willy Caballero

Unless Rennes’ Edouard Mendy is signed up before the opening league fixture, it is almost certain that the veteran Argentine will be given the nod ahead of Kepa.

Lampard’s lack of trust in the Spaniard is demonstrated by the fact that the 25-year-old was dropped by the manager on two separate occasions last campaign.

RB – Reece James

With Ben Chilwell unlikely to be fit to start the season due to a heel injury, it’s possible that captain Cesar Azpilicueta will be drafted in to play on the left-hand side for the first game.

James will offer a greater edge in the final third of the pitch, and he will be hoping to dislodge the Spaniard as the regular right-back as the season goes on.

CB- Kurt Zouma

Andreas Christensen could well be favoured ahead of the Frenchman but the centre-back did finish last season pretty strongly and deserves his chance to start the season as first choice.

Especially with new signing Thiago Silva unlikely to be available, due to his exploits in the Champions League with PSG, the centre-back pairing may have a familiar look to it.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

Heavily criticised for his poor form last campaign, the German international will likely have to hold the fort until Thiago Silva is fit enough to start games.

When the Brazilian veteran is ready to make his debut, it’s almost certain that Rudiger will be restricted to a bit-part role, playing in cup competitions.

LB – Cesar Azpilicueta

As mentioned already, Ben Chilwell has not played a competitive game since early July so it would be a massive ask for the England international to feature against Brighton.

He is nearing full fitness but, in the meantime, Azpilicueta is expected to start in his place, with Marcos Alonso unlikely to be trusted and Emerson seemingly on his way out of the club.

CM – Ruben Loftus-Cheek

The 24-year-old started the friendly against Brighton last week and, with Mateo Kovacic suspended for the opening game of the season, the England international could be given his chance to shine.

Loftus-Cheek will need to be at his best to impress, though, with the likes of Ross Barkley, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Kovacic all able to play in an advanced central midfield role.

DM – N’Golo Kante

Despite some speculation over his future, the Frenchman will be favourite to start in the holding midfield role, with Billy Gilmour only expected to return to full fitness in October.

Jorginho could conceivably be picked ahead of him but the Italian international is no longer one of Lampard’s favourites and could be offloaded for the right price before the transfer window closes.

CM – Kai Havertz

The club’s record signing should be ready to play, despite having had no pre-season games to prepare with his new teammates. The German generally excelled in central areas for Bayer Leverkusen and Lampard will want him to play in the position which best suits him.

There has been some controversy around whether Havertz will be taking Mason Mount’s role in the team but the Englishman will likely be used in a wide position against Brighton due to other injuries.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

The Moroccan is somewhat touch and go for the first game due to a knee injury, and Callum Hudson-Odoi may take his place if he isn’t fit, but he will be keen to get his Chelsea career going after a long wait.

Ziyech actually signed from Ajax in February and the 27-year-old has had to wait the best part of seven months to make his first competitive appearance for the Blues.

ST – Timo Werner

There is certainly competition for places up front, with both Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham also vying for a place in the starting eleven, but you don’t pay the best part of £50m, just to put a player on the bench.

Werner scored for Germany during the international break and will be chomping at the bit to start his first Premier League game for Chelsea at the Amex.

LW – Mason Mount

Christian Pulisic is struggling with a hamstring injury so Lampard could well employ Mount on the left-hand side of attack, which he did on numerous occasions last season.

However, when the American international is fit, it will be interesting to see how the likes of Havertz, Ziyech, Mount and Pulisic all fit into the same lineup.