Chelsea started a new era under the leadership of Lampard last season with a bang. Lampard managed the job at hand pretty well, given he started off with a transfer ban and a relatively young inexperienced squad. Managing a top 4 finish ensuring European football of the highest level was an instrumental factor that paved the way out for top class players to join him at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea has managed to sign Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, and Kai Havertz to boost the attack. Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell have also been brought in as defensive reinforcements. With such quality additions can Lampard’s Chelsea challenge for the PL title?
The Ferocious Attack!
Chelsea had a decent attack last year compromising of Mount, Abraham, Hudson Odoi, and Pulisic who looked like a mismatch at first but turned to be their best-attacking player for the season. The additions of Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech have made it more balanced and threatening. Tammy Abraham had a fired-up first half of the campaign while Giroud blossomed in the latter half of the season. However, they lacked a no. 9 who can perform on a consistent level throughout the season. The addition of Timo Werner is a great way to have sorted out that issue too.
On top of that Chelsea front 4 be it their first choice ones or their replacements/second choice ones all are flexible enough which means they can keep changing positions within themselves causing chaos and confusion among the opposite teams.
A MIdfield Overload at Chelsea
A 4-2-3-1 formation allows only two midfielders of a CDM profile in the team. Chelsea has perhaps the best two in the business, Mr.Ever consistent Kante and Kovacic who was crowned as their player of the last season. As a matter of fact, this team has a player like Jorginho as a squad rotation player. What else do you need more? Also, youngsters like Billy Gilmour and Ruben Loftus Cheek are knocking on the doors for a spot in starting line-up.
The midfielders in the current Chelsea squad( like Kai Havertz, Kovacic, Gilmour, Loftus Cheek) are pretty versatile as well and they can play in multiple positions. This allows Lampard to have some amount of tactical flexibility.
Revitalised Back Four!
Chelsea’s defense was undoubtedly their biggest drawback for the last season. They lacked a vocal leader at the back who could keep them together and share some words of wisdom to avoid silly slip-ups. Chelsea has roped in Thiago Silva for the same. And rightly so, the veteran brings in loads of experience and a leader in the form of to partner with the Centerbacks at the heart of their defense. He just might be the answer to Chelsea’s defensive problems this time around. The addition of Ben Chilwell at the left-back seems like much of an upgrade over Alonso and Emerson. James or Azipillicueta looks like are going to partner Chilwell as a fullback pairing.
Chelsea has an aging Caballero as a second fiddle to Kepa who seems to be on a war with Lampard. One of the reasons Chelsea conceding goals was Kepa’s poor form and silly errors that lead to the majority of Chelsea’s goals. The expected arrival of Edouard Mendy will surely put pressure on Kepa to fight for a spot in Lampards’ starting 11.
Conclusion
Is Chelsea ready to win the PL title? Probably not.
But are Chelsea ready to push City and Liverpool till the end? Absolutely Yes.
Lampard’s side should be considered as a genuine threat this season. They looking like a team that could score a lot of goals up front and if they are able to combine it with the decent defensive performances at the back they could indeed be the dark horse in the title race this year.
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