How Chelsea could line up vs Rennes with Kai Havertz keeping No8 role as Lampard hints he's found permanent formation
CHELSEA host Rennes with Frank Lampard suggesting he has settled with a permanent formation.
The Blues boss has switched between a 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and even a 3-4-3 set up so far.
But after starting Kai Havertz and Mason Mount as a No8 pair with N'Golo Kante in holding midfield, Chelsea shined against Burnley winning 3-0.
Lampard praised Havertz's versatility which could see them stick with a three-man central midfield trio or switch to a different shape if needed.
He said: "I know he has played as a No8 too, so that was part of the process for me, him and the team to find the best way.
"It is very normal when you miss pre-season and you are looking for those tweaks in formation at the start of the season.
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"Now, we are playing in a slightly different way and there have been a number of positives. That doesn't mean that we can't change back."
Chelsea's European tie gives summer signing Edouard Mendy the chance to play against the side he left in the window.
Mendy has kept consecutive clean sheets in his opening three games, the first keeper to do so at Stamford Bridge since Petr Cech in 2004.
At the back Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell can expect to keep their place.
And Kurt Zouma – who already has three goals this season – has played all but one of Chelsea's first 11 games this season.
But with Antonio Rudiger back in the squad as well as Fikayo Tomori and Andreas Christensen competing for game time, Zouma could be afforded some rest.
At right-back, Reece James has been Lampard's preferred choice over captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
But Spaniard Azpilicueta started the last Champions League game and did not feature against Burnley.
In midfield Chelsea were full of creativity against Burnley as Havertz also showed his defensive capabilities going back.
Lampard could play the German again with Mount and have Kante just behind them.
But if the Blues boss is to keep the three-man midfield but make changes, Mateo Kovacic – not even on the bench at Burnley – is an option.
He could also play in a defensive two if Lampard sets up in a more defensive 4-2-3-1 formation.
Chelsea’s Premier League squad
Full squad, in number order…
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Antonio Rudiger
Marcos Alonso
Andreas Christensen – homegrown
Jorginho
Thiago Silva
N’Golo Kante
Tammy Abraham – homegrown
Christian Pulisic
Timo Werner
Willy Caballero
Fikayo Tomori – homegrown
Kurt Zouma
Edouard Mendy
Mateo Kovacic
Olivier Giroud
Mason Mount – under-21
Callum Hudson-Odoi – under-21
Ben Chilwell – homegrown
Hakim Ziyech
Billy Gilmour – under-21
Reece James – under-21
Cesar Azpilicueta
Kai Havertz – under-21
Emerson Palmieri
Petr Cech
It would also pave the way for Jorginho to return and partner either Kovacic or Kante.
Going forward Chelsea are without Christian Pulisic, after the winger was injured in the warm up last weekend.
Timo Werner instead shifted out wide, with Tammy Abraham down the middle and Hakim Ziyech on the right.
The striking trio are well in line to start against Rennes, but Lampard is also provided with several alternatives going forward.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – unfortunate not to start at Turf Moor after his goal against Krasnodar – could be given the nod on the left.
It allows Werner to slide back into his favoured role up front, or give the Germany international a well deserved break.
Abraham is also a contender to keep his role from the start, but faces competition from Olivier Giroud.
With two goals in as many games, Ziyech is primed to keep his spot on the right wing.
But if Lampard fancies benching the Moroccan for safety, it could see Hudson-Odoi selected instead.
Mount is also capable of playing on either side on the front three.
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