Chelsea’s Predicted XI: We predict Frank Lampard’s starting XI as Chelsea host relegated Norwich City in the Premier League
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard will know he has to improve his defence.
Chelsea’s Predicted XI: We predict Frank Lampard’s starting XI as Chelsea host relegated Norwich City in the Premier League.
The Blues will be rejuvenated despite Saturday’s poor 3-0 loss to Sheffield United on Saturday, both their top-four rivals Manchester United and Leicester City dropped points also.
Those results, remarkably still keep Chelsea in 3rd position just one point above the two teams hunting them down for Champions League football next term.
The race has been given extra significance in recent days, as UEFA announced that they are lifting Manchester City’s Champions League ban, meaning that 5th place will only be enough for Europa League football.
Chelsea boss Lampard will be desperate for his players to bounce back from the weekend’s result and get a much-needed three points again the Premier League’s bottom side.
So what team will Lampard pick to try and overcome the Canaries. Here we predict the Chelsea boss’ XI…
Goalkeeper: Despite being dropped by Lampard before lockdown, Kepa returned to the side and will be expected to keep his place again.
Defenders: Chelsea’s back four performed pretty poorly away to the Blades which will have given Lampard a selection headache. At the moment the Englishman could choose anyone across the back line, but we expect him to name, Cesar Azpilicueta at right back, with Marcos Alonso on the other side and Antonio Rudiger partnering Kurt Zouma in the middle.
Midfielders: Lampard has many options in the midfield with six or seven quality players to choose from. Jorginho is not playing as much football as he’ll like but he started in Sheffield and so we expect him to start again tonight. That leaves Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount to make up the midfield trio.
Forwards: With 4-3-3 Lampard’s preferred formation, it seems a straight fight between Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud for the lone frontman spot. We beleive Olivier Giroud will return to the side in place of Abraham who could not get into the game at the weekend. Christian Pulisic will be rested for Callum Hudson-Odoi with Willian on the other flank.
Predicted XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Zouma, Alonso: Jorginho, Barkley, Mount; Hudson-Odoi, Willian, Giroud.