A thread about why Lampard went after @BenChilwell despite other value-for-money options like Tagliafico/Reguilon/Telles, and why @_DeclanRice is the missing piece of the #CFC puzzle –

To understand this, we must look at England's embracing of the 4-3-3 and the evolution of it under Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. The basic features of both systems are similar - build using 3 defenders and 2 mids at the back, and make it 5 forwards versus a back 4.

At City and Liverpool, one of the ways a back three takes shape is when the pivot in the 3 man midfield drops between the center backs to make it three at the back. At City, Rodri is astute at this role while Fernandinho is world class, while Fabinho for Liverpool is excellent.

When the pivot drops in as the third center back, both full backs are asked to bomb up high and play as wingers to stretch the field. At City, Mendy (L) and Danilo (now Cancelo) (R) do this. At Liverpool, Robertson (L) and TAA (R) have thrived under this.

So what happens to the midfield when the full backs push forward? It is the two number 8's who essentially drop deeper and do the dirty work. This ensures that you have two defensive blocks ready in case of a counter, and the central zone is well protected.

Another way how a three at the back forms is intriguing – the defensive minded full back tucks in, making a back 3. The other full back slots into midfield as an inverted full back, read to cross from dangerous half spaces. City have mastered this transition; Walker is a great

RB, proficient as the inverted CB. A few seasons ago, Delph was asked to train in this role. Now, the two 8s (De Bruyne/B.Silva) are free to join the front three (Sterling, Aguero, Mahrez) and make a front 5 again. Liverpool prefer the other system, using full-backs as wingers.

Lampard is obviously influenced by the system and in his first season, wanted us to be fluid in these transitions. However, there were two major problems, which soon made themselves clear – 1) Alonso was excellent at providing width but left us vulnerable on the break 2) Neither

Kante/Kovacic/Jorginho could drop in deep to become the third center back because they lacked one trait or the other. So two problems had to be fixed – Find an LB who could offer defensive stability, attacking impetus and knew the 4-3-3, and find a DM who allows us to make a 3-2

at the back by dropping in as the third center back. Lampard should excellent intelligence by working on the other aspects of the system - he realized the Reece James is a fantastic RB who can play DM and asked him to play Walker's role on the right (See FA Cup semi vs Utd)

So how to plug these gaps? Lampard didn't have to look too far from home. Southgate's Assistant Coach is Steve Holland, someone who was a coach at Chelsea when Lamps was still playing. In the national team, Holland had helped Southgate implement this 4-3-3, making the most of

several players who were used to the system at their clubs – Sterling, Alexander Arnold, Stones, Walker, Henderson. That's half your outfield team. The rest would learn the system. As the Nations League took off, Chilwell made the LB role his own in fine fashion. Reliable in both

phases, intelligent with his positioning, great recovery pace, and knew the 4-3-3. As England continued to play the 4-3-3, a clear contender started to emerge at DM too, a young player who had the industry and intelligence, could drop in as CB – Declan Rice.

So even though people argue there are other viable options – Tagliafico, Telles, Reguilon. Partey, Zakaria for Rice, it's clear that Lampard has a vision in place, and that's why Marina and Roman backed his first choices. Trust the manager, love the players. KTBFFH