Read on Twitter
Chelsea 20/21, Alternative XI (Thread)
As an alternative to the 433 with 2 attacking 8's, which we all think Lampard's go to formation will be. I think a 4231 with this set up could be a good alternative formation to get the best from some of our current players, a formation we know Lampard is willing to use.
Lets start with Werner: best suited with a striking partner or as a wide forward, i believe Werner can still thrive as a lone striker in this lineup, giving him freedom to drift wide & cut inside, producing a fluid front 3 with the wingers doing the same & the 10 driving forward
In this lineup the wingers both have 2 different styles of play allowing 2 different ways we can attack opponents, ziyech on the right with his world class passing range, vision and crossing he can provide something different and linking up with Reece James attacking...
Down the right flank and keeping the width when Ziyech cuts inside, both provide top, if not world class crossing options, low or high balls into the box. Ziyech can also thrive playing in the same team as Pulisic and Werner who both have great pace and timing of runs in behind..
Spaces in the defence, Ziyech's world class passing and through balls into these spaces can heavily boost his assist numbers which he'd get playing with Abraham and CHO who have different qualities.
Onto the left winger now: Pulisic & CHO are both top quality wingers who can play on either wing but are both best on the left, running at defenders before cutting in & shooting or passing to a teammate. Both thrive in 1v1 situations, which Ziyech could get them both into...
I expect both left wingers numbers to be better than they were this season and both to be more prolific than the right winger (if they get similar game time)
Now the number 10: we've seen Mount in this role plenty this season, essentially playing as a second striker (as mentioned when talking about Werner, this could be perfect for when he drifts wide, as the second striker/number 10 can move forwards and take up that position)...
Although it's not Mount's best position and Havertz, just like Mount, has said he wants to play as a number 8, both can do a good job here and it gets the best from their pressing as well, which we know is a key part of the system Lampard wants us playing...
With the number 10 acting as a second striker it means we're essentially playing in a 442, 424 or a 4222, with the back 4, 2 holding/box to box midfielders, 2 wingers and then the "2 strikers"
This is essentially a 3rd formation, 433, 4231 and the 442 type formation.
This is essentially a 3rd formation, 433, 4231 and the 442 type formation.
Now onto the 2 holding midfielders, in this system, both would be box to box midfielders who have good/decent defensive ability, ideally here a Kante for example would sit deep while someone like RLC or Kovacic drive forwards beating the press and starting the attack, this...
Can work either way with RLC or Kovacic sitting deep with Kante driving forwards to start a counter attack, although it's best suited with Kante deeper and RLC or Kovacic driving forwards as this gets the best from the team both defensively through Kante and attacking wise with..
RLC or Kovacic driving forward. Lampard has already said he sees RLC as an option for the pivot as his game is best when driving from deep with the ball and getting the best from his dribbling, skill and shooting abilities, hence the Pogba comparisons although obviously not...
Being on Pogbas level they both have similar playing styles, and therefore could thrive in a pivot and essentially this is very similar to the 433 with 2 attacking 8's that Lampard wants to play although it's including the DM its a different style of attacking 8's...
One is a box to box midfielder, which we've seen this season with the Jorginho & Kovacic pivot where Jorginho has sat deeper while Kovacic has played as a box to box midfielder from the pivot, while the other is a much more forwards thinking number 10 type midfielder with less...
Defensive responsibilities as the main box to box number 8.
In the midfield in all positions not one player is guaranteed their spot, Kante will play the most for obvious reasons as well as Havertz, but Ampadu, Gilmour, Mount, Kovacic and RLC will all share game time with each other throughout those positions, with all of them providing..
Something different to the other and all of them being versatile throughout the midfield positions and even other positions such as the wing, giving us 4th/5th etc winger options in case of emergency, but unlike this season CHO will have priority on the wing to these players.
Now the fullbacks: Again, just like the wingers do, both provide something different, on the left we have Tagliafico or Chilwell with Maatsen backing them up (and obviously Azpi is an option here in emergency, just like he will be at CB, mainly in a back 3)...
The LBs will be more fluid and will have more defensive responsibilities, the RB on the other hand will be much more advanced (not saying the LB wont get forwards plenty because they will, just not as much as the RB will) and will have a key responsibility for...
Getting forward and providing some threat with assists, crosses and creating more goals.
Although this would suggest Reece James would be clear as the first choice (which he will eventually become) Azpi has shown this season he is more than capable at with his...
Although this would suggest Reece James would be clear as the first choice (which he will eventually become) Azpi has shown this season he is more than capable at with his...
Assist total being our 2nd highest of our team, after Willian, but only by 1, despite not being on any set peices unlike Willian who was on almost all of them, he will be replaced on these by James/Ziyech/Mount/CHO etc who will all no doubt be an improvement on set pieces.
Now the CBs both have to be fairly comfortable on the ball, Christensen and Rice especially have proven their ability countless times through being able to play in midfield although Zouma and Tomori, despite getting criticised for it, are both good options at CB and good enough..
On the ball to progress it forwards and start attacks
The goalkeeper: needs to focus on shot stopping as their main ability, especially after we've had kepa but they also have to be comfortable on the ball to distribute it up the pitch & ideally good at claiming crosses & stopping penalties too although they aren't as important atm
Rotation will be key in this team due to the amount of depth and itll have to be used properly but i believe this will be a significant upgrade on our current group of players
End of thread 
