Chelsea’s main goal for the next 5 months is to secure a top four finish. To do that, they’re reportedly looking to acquire the services of Wilfried Zaha and Ben Chilwell during the January transfer window, both of whom are likely to join the club.
Here’s a look at how Chelsea could line up with Zaha and Chillwell within their ranks;
GK – Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa is Chelsea’s obvious first choice. He has put up some below par displays over the past few months but in terms of his overall performance for Chelsea between the sticks, Kepa has been a key part of Lampard’s top four bid.
He’s expected to continue his role as Chelsea’s number one shot stopper going into the second half of the season.
LB – Ben Chilwell
The Leicester City man is expected to be a massive upgrade on both Marcos Alonso and Emerson.
Blessed with decent pace, defensive awareness and incredible composure, Chilwell could give Chelsea the solidity they’ve been lacking at the left-back role ever since Alonso’s decline began two seasons ago.
Frank Lampard would do well to sign him this month.
CB – Antonio Rudiger
Rudiger has been Chelsea’s best centre-back this season. He fits Lampard’s style brilliantly as he’s able to aid the transition from defence to the middle of the park seamlessly thanks to his impressive ball distrubution skills.
Rudiger will undoubtedly continue to be a key part of Chelsea’s set-up going into the second half of the season and beyond.
CB – Kurt Zouma
Zouma began the season as somewhat of a weak link in Chelsea’s backline, but over the course of the last three months, the Frenchman has proven to be a solid centre-back for Chelsea.
Despite reports that Lampard is considering a move for Nathan Ake, Zouma has, to a large extent, earned his spot in Chelsea’s lineup.
RB – Reece James
Strong, fast, agile, and composed, Reece James is by far, the best full-back Chelsea have within their ranks haven proven to be a reliable player on the right flank.
The 20-year-old is poised to become one of the best right-backs in the Premier League, but he can only reach that level through consistent game time.
He’s expected to feature regularly under Lampard en route to Chelsea’s top four finish
CM – Jorginho
Jorginho is crucial to Frank Lampard’s system. He makes Chelsea tick thanks to his ball distribution skills and his speed of thought which allows him to dictate the flow of games. He’s pretty much guaranteed to be a regular in Lampard’s lineup for the second half of the season.
CM – Mason Mount
Mason Mount is one of the best young midfielders Chelsea have had in quite a while. He draws parallels with Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard, as he boasts of the same sharp qualities that allowed Lampard to flourish for so many years during his playing career.
So far, Mount has scored 6 goals and registered 2 assists – not bad at all for his first full season in Chelsea’s first team.
CM – N’golo Kante
Kante, well, is Kante. His importance to Chelsea’s squad cannot be over emphasized. Whilst Lampard’s system, to an extent, prevents him from playing like he did under Antonio Conte, Kante remains one of Chelsea’s most influential players.
He will play an important role in the fight for a top four finish.
LW – Christian Pulisic
Pulisic hasn’t quite had the impact Chelsea fans expected him to have in his first season at the club, but regardless of that, he’s currently enjoying a decent individual season having scored 5 goals and made 2 assists from the left flank.
He’s likely to remain a mainstay in Chelsea’s lineup going into the second half of the season.
RW – Wilfried Zaha
Should Chelsea manage to sign Zaha, the Ivory Coast international could prove to be one of their best signings in recent seasons.
Zaha can introduce a new dynamic to Chelsea’s attack, giving them the pace and creativity they need to unlock teams that sit back and park the bus all day.
ST – Tammy Abraham
Tammy Abraham has led Chelsea to some important victories this season, most recently the 2-1 win over Arsenal which further solidified Chelsea’s claim on 4th place.
Abraham has managed to bag 12 goals in 20 Premier League appearances, making him one of the best strikers in the league this season. Chelsea will need him to consistently find the back of the net if they are to have any chance of securing a top four finish come the end of the season.
