Premier League 19/20: 3 ways Frank Lampard could set his Chelsea side up for the new campaign

Bohemians FC v Chelsea FC - Pre-Season Friendly Enter caption
Bohemians FC v Chelsea FC - Pre-Season Friendly Enter caption

Frank Lampard and his Chelsea side are truly in the kernels of their pre-season preparations, having played a couple of friendlies in Dublin already. Ahead of two games in Japan and a host of other fixtures against the likes of Barcelona, Reading, Red Bull Salzburg, and Borussia Monchengladbach, the Chelsea think tank has a slew of players at its disposal to try and test, record and experiment.

In the first pre-season game against Bohemians, Frank Lampard played his traditional 4-3-3 – a formation very similar to the one he preferred at Derby County. The next game saw another massive change in terms of approach, as Chelsea came out all guns blazing against St. Patrick’s Athletic courtesy of an attacking method opted by the club’s record goalscorer.

Due to a stacked midfield and a large set of diverse players in each department, there are various systems Chelsea could adopt in the coming season.

On that note, we analyze three configurations Frank Lampard could deploy next season.

Also read: 3 players who will not benefit from Lampard's system at Chelsea


The number 10-based setup - 4-2-1-3

The 4-2-1-3 system would essentially provide more defensive cover, as not one but two midfielders would operate in the deep-lying role. The most likely options seem to be N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, who offer contrasting tactical benefits.

While Kante is arguably the sharpest in the game when it comes to reading the pace of the play, predicting the next pass and tear opposition attacks apart, Jorginho sights the long pass, retains the ball with aplomb and hardly gives possession away. Should the two complement each other, it could result in a destructive pairing for Chelsea.

There would be four at the back, and due to the presence of two midfielders, the full-backs are expected to play on a narrow line upfront. The biggest gem in the armor would be the role of Ruben Loftus-Cheek here, who would most probably play behind the striker, drift into little pockets of space, inject creativity and dictate the pace of play.

Lampard loves free-flowing, pacy and counter-attacking football, which would be heavily aided through this setup. Such a midfield combination, compact backline and an attacking trio, is surely expected to leave a lot of people round-mouthed.

Also read: 3 players Chelsea should offload before the transfer window shuts

The Conventional setup- 4-3-3

This is the ideology Lampard chose at Pride Park, wherein ahead of a four-man backline, one pivot would facilitate the flow of two attacking midfielders. Nobody in the Chelsea squad understands this better than Mason Mount at present, who was granted the license to tuck in, make forward runs and exploit half-spaces.

The other side of the midfield could witness Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic or Ross Barkley. Kante’s ability to shield the defense, keep the opposition at bay and start attacks with speed will come in handy here.

Due to the same, the wingers at Chelsea will be licking their lips because players such as Willian, Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi thrive in wider areas. Not only will they stretch the opponent’s backline, but they also leave a lot of free space for the attacking midfielders to exploit.

Not to mention, the center forward would have more players in the box alongside himself; an aspect that suits Olivier Giroud’s intelligent link-up play in the 18-yard box.

Also read: Chelsea’s ideal midfield for the beginning of the Frank Lampard era

The packed midfield setup 4-1-2-1-2

Drifted out of tradition maybe, but the vintage midfield diamond could seek revival under ‘Super Frankie’ given the number of central options at his disposal.

As depicted above, the diamond would comprise of one deep-lying playmaker, who would at times also fuse with the center backs to prevent counter-attacks. This would see the best of an already established N’Golo Kante. The deeper he is placed, the better it is for Chelsea.

On either side ahead of him, we could see Ross Barkley, Mateo Kovacic, Mount or even Danny Drinkwater. Loftus-Cheek, as many would expect, will ply his trade at number 10. But, in order to add a wider dimension, Lampard could deploy Pedro or Willian as a natural goal threat behind the striker.

With this, however, Chelsea will have to ensure the fabrication of a strike partnership, which is a relatively rare commodity in modern football

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Edited by Zaid Khan