FRANK LAMPARD could stick with the same starting XI that beat Rennes when Chelsea face Sheffield United tomorrow.
The Stamford Bridge legend looks to have finally settled on a formation, with his 4-3-3 working wonders in recent weeks.
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This is how Chelsea could line up against Sheffield United
Chelsea have won all of their last three games while using the system, scoring ten goals and conceding a perfect zero.
The Blades are Chelsea’s final Premier League game before the November international break.
And after being hit by a double injury blow, Lampard may decide to play it safe and keep the same personnel from Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League win against Rennes.
Christian Pulisic is still not fit enough to feature after suffering a hamstring injury during the warm-up for last weekend’s 3-0 victory at Burnley.
That means Tammy Abraham is likely to continue in the No9 role, with Timo Werner out on the left and Hakim Ziyech providing creativity from the right.
Kai Havertz is also out after contracting coronavirus and missing the Champions League win in midweek.
His absence could see Jorginho remain at the base of a midfield three, with N’Golo Kante playing in a more advanced role on the right and Mason Mount operating on the left.
There are unlikely to be changes in defence, with Chelsea’s miserly backline keeping FIVE clean sheets in as many matches for the first time since 2010.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been the bedrock of that success, and is now Lampard’s established No1 between the sticks.
Reece James and Ben Chilwell have provided a perfect blend of attacking and defensive steel to the flanks.
Meanwhile, Thiago Silva has been a revelation at centre-back and is also bringing out the best of Kurt Zouma in a blossoming partnership.
However, Lampard does have a deep squad at his disposal.
Frank Lampard could decide to make a couple of changes
And there are a handful of senior stars unlucky to be sitting on the sidelines.
Should Super Frank decide to make some changes, captain Cesar Azpilicueta could be one of those to come in from the cold.
He would likely replace James at right-back, although he is also capable of deputising for Chilwell.
In midfield, Mateo Kovacic could come in for Jorginho, allowing Kante to return to his natural holding position.
And up top, Callum Hudson-Odoi may be preferred to Abraham for natural width, moving Werner into a central forward role.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk