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

David Tully

4 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Chelsea go into this Saturday’s game against Southampton knowing they need to start building some momentum after a convincing win against Crystal Palace before the international break.

Manager Frank Lampard does have some players returning to fitness which should help his side move up the table in the coming weeks, but there have been a couple of notable injury setbacks in recent days which may make selecting the starting eleven a bit more difficult.

There are doubts over Edouard Mendy and Ben Chilwell, and Lampard may have to make late calls over their inclusion ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge.

Press the next page as we go through our predicted eleven for Chelsea’s match this weekend.

Edouard Mendy

Much will depend on whether the Senegalese international recovers from a thigh injury. Some suggest he does have a fair chance of starting the game but we shall have to wait and see.

If Mendy does not make it, it’s more than likely that Kepa Arrizabalaga will come back into the lineup after being on the substitute’s bench for the Palace game.

Reece James

The newly capped England international was benched in favour of club captain Cesar Azpliuceta for the 4-0 win over the Eagles before the international break, but the 20-year-old could well be recalled for the game against Southampton.

James does offer more in the attacking third and Lampard won’t be as focused on protecting that side of the pitch, which he was particularly mindful of versus Palace due to Wilfried Zaha.

Thiago Silva

After helping to keep a clean sheet in his last game, the Brazilian is expected to keep his place, although he will face a sterner challenge from Saints striker Danny Ings this weekend.

The England striker has scored three goals in four Premier League appearances this season, and Silva will need all of his experience to ensure the forward doesn’t get any clear cut chances in front of goal.

Kurt Zouma

The Frenchman has begun to strike up a decent partnership with Thiago Silva and after scoring against Palace last time out, he should have a good deal of confidence going into this weekend’s game.

Zouma is certainly ahead of the likes of Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Antonio Rudiger in the pecking order at the moment.

Emerson Palmieri

With Ben Chilwell a major doubt for the weekend after aggravating a foot injury, the £50m summer signing is likely to be replaced by the Italian international.

Emerson has not featured in the Premier League this season but he could be given the nod ahead of Marcos Alonso, who was taken off at half time against West Brom following an abject display.

N’Golo Kante

There has been more speculation about the midfielder’s future today following reports in the French press that the player does not have a good relationship with Lampard.

However, those reports are believed to be inaccurate and Kante is almost certain to be selected in the starting line up this weekend.

Jorginho

After scoring two penalties in his last game for the Blues, it would be a surprise if the Italian international is left out of the eleven.

Mateo Kovacic could be selected instead but it does appear that Jorginho is ahead of the Croatian in terms of team selection currently.

Kai Havertz

The German looks a lot happier playing through the middle than out wide. His best performances so far have come as a number 10 so Lampard is expected to keep him there for the Southampton game.

Of course, he may well be rotated with Mason Mount on occasion, unless the England midfielder is selected in the front three.

Callum Hudson-Odoi

Lampard has asked for a higher work rate from the winger and he certainly made a case for himself to start more often with a confident performance last time out versus Palace.

With Hakim Ziyech likely to be on the bench this weekend, Hudson-Odoi will need to make the most of his opportunity to impress before the Moroccan gets back to full fitness.

Timo Werner

Tammy Abraham had a decent game against Southampton but Lampard will be keen to get Werner into more central areas in order to make sure they have a greater goal threat.

Especially with wingers such as Ziyech and Christian Pulisic returning to fitness, the German will likely be employed more centrally in upcoming games.

Christian Pulisic

The American international is primed to start his first game of the season after a long injury layoff. He should be ready to go after playing the last ten minutes of the 4-0 win over Palace.

It will be very interesting to see whether Pulisic can recapture the form he showed at times last season.