FRANK LAMPARD has a host of top players out for Sunday’s clash against Liverpool.
It threatens to make his job much harder as he tries to cement his new-look side’s title credentials during the Stamford Bridge opener.
Mateo Kovacic is set to return from his suspension to face Liverpool
Hakim Ziyech is among the players confirmed absent with the Moroccan international still ruled out with a troublesome knee issue.
Fellow new recruit Ben Chilwell trained with his Chelsea team-mates for the first time this week as he steps up his recovery from a foot injury.
Yet the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s side comes too soon for the England defender, who last played for Leicester back in July.
Star if the restart Christian Pulisic is also sidelined.
Lampard could be tempted to stick with the same formation as how his side lined-up in the 3-1 win over Brighton.
Mateo Kovacic is set to return in place of Jorginho after serving his suspension, despite the latter’s goal from the spot against the Seagulls.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek meanwhile struggled at the Amex and was replaced after the hour by Ross Barkley.
The former Everton man impressed in his short cameo and could retain his spot against rivals Liverpool, who he netted against in the FA Cup in March.
Frank Lampard could decide to hand Thiago Silva his debut
Lampard though has a habit of using the 3-4-3 formation in the big matches during his short Chelsea managerial career.
That tactic will give his side extra protection in the back against Liverpool’s feared attack while aiding the Blues transition to break on the counter.
The formation may tempt him in handing former Paris Saint-Germain captain Silva his debut in the middle of a back three.
However, despite the veteran Brazilian training for the first time this week, Lampard says the game has come too soon for him to play. It seems there’s a slim chance he could come off the bench, and if Chelsea are defending a lead, he could come on.
A back three would erase concerns about the 35-year-old’s pace with Reece James and Marcos Alonso operating as wing-backs.
Chelsea confirm Thiago Silva on free transfer as former PSG star signs one-year deal at Stamford Bridge
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
