Wolves v Chelsea: Predicted Blues XI for Lampard’s first game back in charge

Frank Lampard will take charge of his first match as interim Chelsea manager when The Blues travel to face Wolves on Saturday.

The former England international was named as the club’s caretaker boss on Thursday, taking charge of the club until the end of the season.

The west London outfit have been in dismal form since the start of the year, winning just three of their 14 Premier League matches in 2023.

Lampard could make a number of changes to the 11 that started Chelsea’s goalless draw against Liverpool on Tuesday under Bruno Saltor, and here we take a look at the XI that he could opt for.

Goalkeeper

Kepa Arrizabalaga has played every minute of every Chelsea match in 2023, with Edouard Mendy having been injured for a number of weeks. The Spaniard looks set to continue in goal, although Lampard did primarily use Mendy as his first choice ‘keeper during his first reign as Chelsea boss and could soon reinstate the Senegal international.

Defenders

Lampard will likely revert to a back four, as opposed to the back three that both Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel often used. With that in mind, Reece James could shift to a slightly more defensive right-back role, along side a central defensive pairing of Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly. 

Wesley Fofana has impressed since joining Chelsea from Leicester City last summer

The former had been injured recently but returned to the starting line up against Liverpool on Tuesday, while Koulibaly has been relied upon for experience during Thiago Silva’s absence. Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah could be named among the substitutes.

On the left, Ben Chilwell is likely to keep his place ahead of Marc Cucurella. The Englishman has already missed much of this season with injury, but has been in fine form when available and will likely be given the nod ahead of his Spanish teammate.

Midfielders

Lampard often utilised a 4-3-3 formation during his first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge and could do so once again after inheriting a squad rich in attacking talent.

N’Golo Kante made just his fourth appearance of the season against The Reds on Tuesday and is almost certain to continue in the heart of midfield after a fine display.

Kante impressed when making his first start for more than eight months on Tuesday

The France international is likely to be partnered by Premier League record signing Enzo Fernandez, who is yet to put a foot wrong since joining Chelsea from Benfica in January.

Mateo Kovacic, who has captained Chelsea on occasion of late in the absence of Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta, will likely be on the bench alongside Conor Gallagher.

Mason Mount is likely to complete Chelsea’s midfield trio, despite the Englishman having struggled for game time of late. Mount and Lampard have worked together both at Chelsea and formerly at Derby County, and the 24-year-old’s best spells in a Chelsea shirt arguably came during Lampard’s first tenure in west London.

Forwards

Lampard will have plenty of difficult decisions to make when selecting his front three, with Chelsea boasting a number of useful wide players.

Raheem Sterling is likely to be called upon for his experience. The winger’s Chelsea career is yet to really take off following his summer move from Manchester City, but he could now flourish under an attack-minded manager.

Through the middle, Kai Havertz is likely to start ahead of the likes of David Datro Fofana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the latter of whom has hardly featured in recent months. The German has struggled in front of goal this term but remains Chelsea’s top scorer across all competitions.

Havertz had a goal ruled out for handball on Tuesday

On the other side, Lampard could opt for Mykhaylo Mudryk, who was reportedly a target of his during his time at Everton. The Ukraine international is yet to score for his new side and has only registered one assist, but a change in management and a run of regular starts could prompt a return to the form he displayed for former side Shakhtar Donetsk.

The likes of Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Noni Madueke could all have to settle for a place on the bench.

Predicted XI: Arrizabalaga; James, Fofana, Koulibaly, Chilwell; Mount, Kante, Fernandez; Sterling, Havertz, Mudryk