Premier League giants Chelsea were unable to lure a single new player to Stamford Bridge during the winter transfer window, but then went on to secure the blockbuster signing of Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech less than a fortnight after the window officially shut. The Blues have been linked with a plethora of the continent’s top talents across a variety of positions this season, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them break the bank on a couple of excellent acquisitions in the summer.
What Holes Do Lampard Actually Need To Fill In This Chelsea Squad?
One of the biggest problem areas for Lampard this season has undoubtedly been the front-line, and it’s safe to say that a majority of their links in the summer are going to be for attacking players. As has been suggested by a recent report by the Evening Standard, the Blues have been touted to make a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Lyon’s Moussa Dembele in the attacking roles.
Another concern area for Lampard has been at left-back, where Marcos Alonso and Emerson have both struggled to have too much of an impact. The aforementioned report further suggests that the London club could move for Leicester City full-back Ben Chilwell in the summer as well.
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Chelsea Lineup For Next Season
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK – Kepa Arrizabalaga
Although the Spaniard has been criticised extensively for his performances this season, there have certainly been signs that Kepa has what it takes to develop into a top keeper. He looks confident with the ball at his feet and hasn’t made too many alarming individual mistakes either.
RB – Reece James
The young full-back is widely accepted as one of the best crossers in the league, despite only rising to fore earlier this campaign. Cesar Azpilicueta has been Lampard’s preferred choice in the role this season, but the youngster’s pace and energy will be better suited to the manager’s dynamic attacking system.
CB – Antonio Rudiger
The big German international missed a large chunk of the season due to injury, and his absence was felt quite drastically. Upon returning though, the amount of confidence that he added to the Blues’ back-line simply cannot be put into words, while his forward passing tends to be top-notch too.
CB – Andreas Christensen
Probably the first decision that could be questioned, the young Dane has been the Blues’ second-best centre-half this season. It’s safe to say that he deserves to keep his place in the first-team next term as well. Confident in the air and dominant in the box.
LB – Ben Chilwell
The Leicester City full-back started the season in the form of his life and then played one of his best-ever fixtures against Southampton earlier in the campaign. Although his performance levels have dropped, there’s no denying the youngster’s obvious quality in an attacking sense.
CM – N’Golo Kante
The Frenchman is another one of the players that Lampard has had to do without for a major chunk of the campaign. Despite not playing too much football recently, you can bet your bottom dollar that the midfield destroyer will be the first name on the team-sheet and that he’s going to give his all in every fixture.
CM – Mateo Kovacic
The second decision that could well be questioned by many Blues fans – Kovacic has been the Blues’ best player this season by a distance. Supremely talented on the ball and adept at moving the team forward with his driving runs, it would be surprising to see Kovacic benched at the start of next campaign.
RW – Jadon Sancho
The Englishman will surely be Frank Lampard’s dream signing for the summer, as the speedster offers a wide variety of attributes going forward. Despite being just 19, the youngster boasts excellent dribbling skills that can move the team forward, while he also has the youthfulness to operate on the same level as some of the Blues’ younger stars.
CAM – Hakim Ziyech
The Moroccan international was acquired from Ajax less than a couple of weeks after the winter window closed. The man who scored against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will be a Blues’ player next season, and that’s definitely a reason for fans to get excited. Expect him to drive forward with the ball and look for the perfect pass on every opportunity.
LW – Christian Pulisic
The American speedster has former experience playing with Jadon Sancho, and their partnership down either flank could turn out to be a trump card for the London club. Despite starting the campaign off well, an unfortunate injury kept him out for the remainder of the season.
ST – Moussa Dembele
The Lyon striker was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge quite heavily in the winter as well, but the Ligue 1 club seemed to hold their ground regarding the asking price. Adept at holding the ball up and bringing teammates into the game, Dembele does look like a striker who would be supremely well-suited to the fast-paced action of the English game. Yes, Tammy Abraham would be really unlucky to miss out.
