Chelsea Predicted XI: We predict Frank Lampard’s starting XI as the Blues travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United this afternoon

Chelsea Predicted XI: We predict Frank Lampard’s starting XI as the Blues travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United this afternoon.

Frank Lampard’s spent over £200million in the transfer window as they aim to compete at the top of the league once again and win trophies.

However, despite an influx of big signings, the Blues’ defensive frailties seem to remain as they have conceded nine goals in their opening five Premier League matches.

The latest setback came last time out when the West London side drew 3-3 against Southampton after being 2-0 and 3-2 in front.

Lampard will know that he will need to find a solution quick, especially with other top sides dropping points, giving real opportunities for so many teams.

But with the fixtures coming thick and fast at the start of this 2020/21 campaign, the Blues boss could be forced to shuffle his pack once again.

So which players will the ex-England international task with getting a positive result at Old Trafford?

Here we predict Lampard’s starting XI…

Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga’s tough time continued last Saturday as he made a mess of Southampton’s second goal. So Lampard will be happy that summer signing Edouard Mendy has made an early comeback from a thigh injury and could make a surprise to start in goal.  The Shot-stopper performed vey well against Sevilla in the Champions League midweek. 

Defenders: After conceding three times for the second time this season, last weekend, Lampard understandably made changes to his back four midweek. However, the clean sheet against Sevilla would have given the boss encurgaement and we expect him to name the same back four for today’s encounter. Reece James – fresh from his full England debut last week – will start right back, with fellow England international Ben Chilwell on the other side. That leaves the experienced Thiago Silva alongside Kurt Zouma as the centre back pairing.

Midfielders: Lampard received a boost midweek as midfielder Matteo Kovacic returned from injury and got vaulable minutes against Sevilla and we expect him to start today. This means it’s likely that Jorginho will drop out of the side, meaning the Croatian will play alongside N’Golo Kante in the middle. In front of those two should see record-signing Kai Havertz who netted his first Premier League goal last weekend.

Forwards: Chelsea fans have been waiting to see Hakim Ziyech from the start and this afternoon looks to be the time he is set to make his competitive debut for the Blues, having come off the bench against Sevilla. Alongside the 27-year-old in attack should be the names of Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner – who scored his first Premier League goals at the weekend. This means Mason Mount could be given a breather.

Predicted XI: Mendy; James, Thiago, Zouma, Chilwell; Kovacic, Kante, Havertz; Ziyech, Werner, Pulisic.