Chelsea began their Premier League campaign last night by beating Brighton 3-1 in their own backyard.
Whilst the scoreline flattered Frank Lampard’s side, it was refreshing and positive to start the season with a win.
Lampard had two of his new signings Timo Werner and Kai Havertz starting the match, but there was a real sense of imbalance and an uncomfortable look to some of the positioning that players were asked to play.
Of course, it was rather makeshift due to injuries and a suspension, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek most notably looked very uncomfortable playing as a number ten.
The midfielder spent the majority of the game playing very close to Werner almost as a second striker, and he had one of his worst games in a Chelsea shirt.
Kai Havertz has only just arrived at the club so of course he is far from settled, but I would prefer him to be playing more centrally, instead of being wasted out wide.
When everyone is fit, this is what I believe to be Chelsea’s best starting eleven (I’m cheating and adding Mendy despite him being confirmed yet).
In a 4-3-3 –
Edouard Mendy, Reece James, Kurt Zouma, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell. N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz. Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner.
I believe this line up gives us the best balance.
Kante will need to play the most disciplined role as a holding midfielder, with Kovacic playing close to him, and Havertz in the most advanced number 8 position.
Ideally Chelsea still need to sign a more combative and natural defensive midfielder if they are to truly make it work this season, but with the players available this is a great starting line up more than good enough to be successful.
I agree with you
The only point where I would disagree with you is whether Rudiger is played instead of Zouma, but I admit that is debatable. Also, I think that Werner may play wide at times, with Giroud or Abraham in the centre, instead of Ziyech or Pulisic.
Chelsea need to sign onana
Mount is in my best 11 not sure that Silva Zouma will be our best centre back pairing but we do have a very strong squad
Fully agree with this lineup, with the difference between 433 and 4231 mostly in name only. Havertz will float forward quite a lot, occupying the space vacated by Werner’s runs. As far as someone to fill in for Kante in the more defensive role, Frank’s use of Reece James there… Read more »
Excellent team. Just would still prefer rudigar to zouma. But every other is muah! Expecially kovacic- kante pair
I agree
Yes I agree with you
i hope lampard sees this line up,cos he messed up the selection to favor mount and loftus cheek(English players)… the above selection is just fine to me plus odoi waiting to push opponents back when they are tired around 70 mins or so as a sub,or any other player in… Read more »
Lampard does not owe Mason Mount anything, its not a must he plays. Secondly, Odoi if given the whole year, he cant play efficiently to his best playing out wide, he needs to play from the left flank where he has two options to dribble, cut in and shoot. Kai… Read more »