How Chelsea could line up under Frank Lampard with club legend being considered for sensational Stamford Bridge return
FRANK LAMPARD is being considered for a sensational return to Stamford Bridge.
The former Chelsea hero is among the club’s greatest ever players but was axed as manager in January 2021.
Following Graham Potter’s sacking, however, Lampard could return to his old club as caretaker boss until the end of the season.
The 44-year-old, axed by Everton earlier this season, was in the stands last night as Chelsea drew 0-0 with Liverpool.
Should he get the interim gig, Lamps could make sweeping changes to how the Blues play.
Current caretaker Bruno Saltor stuck with the three at the back formation largely favoured by predecessors Potter and Thomas Tuchel.
But Lampard would likely favour a return to a back four.
During his first stint, the former midfielder largely deployed a 4-3-3 formation, although did also dabble with a 4-2-3-1.
His first change would surely to be to restore Edouard Mendy to the No1 position.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was a disaster during Lampard’s first stint, making blunder after blunder between the sticks.
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While not quite as error-prone as he used to be, Kepa would almost certainly be dropped for fit-again Mendy, who was signed by Lampard nearly three years ago.
Another Lampard acquisition Ben Chilwell would likely be selected ahead of Marc Cucurella at left-back, while Reece James was given his start in the first team at Stamford Bridge by the Englishman.
Lampard would likely favour the youth and mobility of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile at centre-back, rather than Kalidou Koulibaly, while Thiago Silva is out injured.
N’Golo Kante’s return to the starting XI for the first time since August 14 last night was most welcome for Chelsea fans, and the Frenchman will be a key man regardless of who is in charge.
In Lampard’s attacking 4-3-3 formation, he could rely on the former Leicester star’s ball-winning prowess behind Mason Mount and Enzo Fernandez.
Mount’s restoration to the starting XI would be paramount, the midfielder having captained Chelsea in Lampard’s final game in charge last time around.
While Havertz, now thought of largely as a misfiring makeshift forward, was also tried in midfield during his early months at the club.
In games where a bit more steel is required, Mateo Kovacic could come in.
Lampard could call upon his former England team-mate Raheem Sterling on the left-flank, although he will want to get a good look at Mykhailo Mudryk too.
While Noni Madueke is the sort of electric young talent that he could favour on the right flank.
Joao Felix could get a run in the team as a central forward, although perhaps Lampard will turn to little-used Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
He may be intrigued by the likes of Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka.
But his return would likely be bad news for the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Denis Zakaria and skipper Cesar Azpilicueta.