'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea faces Everton at Stamford Bridge in what promises to be a cracking contest. Carlo Ancelotti returns to the Bridge leading the side which ended his Chelsea stint. Everton has had a strange season as Marco Silva failed to get the Toffees on track. Ancelotti took Everton after being sacked by Napoli. After the Italian's arrival, Everton has grown into a more complete team as they have improved in all departments.
On the other hand, Chelsea has had an inconsistent season as Frank Lampard has failed to find the correct rhythm. With defensive fragilities and a doubtful goalkeeping position, Chelsea has all sorts of problems at the moment. Moreover, around nine first-team players are injured and the squad is in dire need of some fresh energy.
What is even more interesting is that Lampard will be going head-to-head against Carlo Ancelloti, a manager who he has played under. Lampard and Ancelotti shared a great bond of mutual respect and it will be fascinating to see how the two managers approach the game.
Here, we take a look at 3 things to look out for as Chelsea face Everton.
#1 Chelsea's goalkeeper
Kepa Arrizabalaga featured against Liverpool in the FA Cup after sitting on the bench for six straight games. Lampard fielded Willy Caballero in all those games and the Argentinian was decent as he made some crucial saves.
Before the game against Liverpool, Frank Lampard had maintained that he was trying to bring some competition into the squad and he had no intention of alienating Kepa Arrizabalaga. What was even more shocking was that Caballero started against Bayern Munich as well. This was interpreted as the end of Kepa's Chelsea career by many as the game against the Bavarians was the most important game of the season for Lampard's men.
Against Liverpool, Arrizabalaga started shakily as some of his distribution wasn't exactly tidy. However, slowly but steadily, the Spaniard grew into the game and commanded his box well. He managed to keep a clean sheet, something which has been rare for the Blues so far and had his second-best game of the season in terms of the saves made.
With Tottenham, Wolves, and United currently struggling, Chelsea's game against Everton is the ideal opportunity for the Blues to cement a lead in the top four fight. Whether or not Arrizabalaga has convinced Lampard is anyone's guess, but the Blues' faithful should expect to see the world's most expensive keeper guarding their net today.
#2 Ancelotti's Stamford Bridge return
Carlo Ancelotti was brought to Stamford Bridge in 2009 in a quest to become the Champions of Europe. At that time, he was perhaps the best manager in the world as he was a seasoned European specialist. Ancelotti's Chelsea scored a record-breaking 103 goals in the first season and they ended up winning the Premier League and the FA Cup.
Despite the initial success, the Italian was under pressure from the Chelsea board as he was unable to find European success. And yes, back in the day, Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich and his board used to fire managers at will including the ones winning a double.
Ancelloti was fired at the end of his second season at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea finished nine points behind Manchester United who clinched the Premier League title. And this is how the tale of Ancelotti ended, a pure professional who could have offered so much more.
The Chelsea fans have always loved the Italian and would be ready to welcome 'King Carlo' back to the Bridge to finally thank him for the service that he provided - changing a slow squad into a goal-scoring machine. He showed it was possible to be in command and retain the respect of the dressing room.
As Chelsea faces Everton at Stamford Bridge, there should a grand welcome waiting for the Italian maestro irrespective of the result.
#3 Billy Gilmour's Premier League Debut
There is one particular name going around in the footballing circles in the league. This week, Billy Gilmour took the world by storm as he managed to dominate Liverpool and dictate the pace of the play from the base of midfield. The videos of his performance have gone viral as he won player of the match against Liverpool and made the likes of Fabinho look silly.
Against Liverpool, Gilmour started in the base of midfield and looked involved from the first whistle. He pulled the strings against a side like Liverpool and showed how he could thrive in a deeper midfield role in contrast to players like Jorginho. Gilmour's passing abilities had shades of Cesc Fàbregas while his ball-playing confidence had the essence of Mateo Kovačić.
With numerous injuries, Chelsea's squad is extremely limited at the moment. Moreover, Jorginho is serving an extremely unnecessary and avoidable two-game ban. This essentially guarantees that Gilmour will be starting against Everton. The media and the fanbase are currently drooling over the Scotsman at the moment and expectations are extremely high.
Gilmour has shown a wide range of technical and mental capabilities against Liverpool. The Blues could witness Gilmour's league debut as they press on to finish in the top four.
Also read | 3 heavily criticised players Chelsea should hold on to next season
