Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side will be looking to get back to winning ways in the league this midweek when they are set to take on relegated club Norwich City. The Blues are coming into this fixture on the back of an embarrassing 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Sheffield United, a game in which the Blues dominated possession, but weren’t able to create anything meaningful in the final third of the pitch. The quality of football that was displayed on the night was abysmal, and a similar performance would likely give the Canaries a shot at stealing some points off the Londoners.
Lampard though will be eager to put his young squad back on the right path again, as the hunt for the limited European places heats up. Although securing Champions League football is still in the Blues’ hands, the CAS verdict about Manchester City’s potential European ban could come as positive news for the London club. If it comes to a point where the fifth place is enough to secure UCL football, then last season’s Europa League winners are more than well-positioned to be able to secure their target for the campaign.
Team News
Billy Gilmour has picked up an unfortunate knee problem that is going to see the young Scot miss up to four months of football. The youngster was gradually beginning to earn the trust of the fans and staff alike, with the injury coming as a massive stumbling block in the player’s development. Chelsea fans will be hopeful that N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are both available for selection next time, as the Blues’ midfield line got overrun entirely by the Blades on the weekend. The only other assured absence is young Fikayo Tomori, who is yet to feature in the side since the restart.
Here Is The Predicted 4-3-3 Chelsea Lineup Vs Norwich City:
Predicted 4-3-3 Chelsea Lineup Vs Norwich City
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga was given the nod again by Lampard on the weekend and saying that he didn’t perform up to the mark would only act as a massive understatement. Given that there are only three games left to play though, it’s unlikely that the Spaniard will be dropped for this tie. In front of him, Lampard should ring in the changes. Reece James had a poor game against the Blades and should drop down, with Azpilicueta being reinstated in the right-back role. Marcos Alonso could return to the eleven on the left, with Antonio Rudiger and Kurt Zouma forming the centre-half partnership.
Midfield
Sheffield United were successful in taking the Chelsea midfield completely out of the game on the weekend, and Lampard is undoubtedly going to try and address that issue. N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic have missed the last couple of fixtures due to injury, and the duo are hence likely to return to the starting eleven this time out. Ross Barkley was the Blues’ best player on the pitch against the Blades, meaning that he is set to stay in the side as the third member of the Chelsea engine room.
Attack
Lampard has been quite shrewd with his team selection all season, but the decision to start Abraham ahead of Giroud on the weekend was undoubtedly one of his worst yet. The Frenchman is hence likely to return to the starting eleven for the fixture against the league’s bottom club. Christian Pulisic and Willian should continue in the wide areas as both players were in decent form before the Sheffield United thrashing.
