Frank Lampard makes three changes, £70m player dropped and 19-year-old starts: Chelsea predicted XI vs Newcastle

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Chelsea wrap up a miserable 2022/23 season on Sunday with a home fixture against Newcastle United.

The Blues go into the weekend knowing they’ll finish somewhere between 11th and 13th this year in the Premier League, depending on results. In contrast, Newcastle have secured themselves a Champions League spot and are in party mode.

Frank Lampard’s tenure as caretaker manager has certainly not gone to plan, losing eight out of 10 games since returning to Stamford Bridge. His team’s latest defeat on Thursday night was a 4-1 away result against Manchester United.

Hopefully, Chelsea can try bow out of the campaign with some pride on Sunday in front of their own supporters.

The Chelsea Chronicle has predicted Lampard to make three changes to his starting line-up against Newcastle from the Man United defeat.

GK and defence

We expect Kepa Arrizabalaga to continue as Chelsea’s goalkeeper, despite Edouard Mendy getting the briefest of chances earlier this month.

Cesar Azpilicueta was praised by the manager for his midweek performance, so we think he’ll start again at right-back in a back four. Like several Blues players in the squad, will it be his last appearance for the club?

Lewis Hall is our pick to continue at left-back, and he’s been a rare shining light in the last few games.

Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah both struggled at centre-back at Old Trafford, which is why we are tipping one of them to drop out in the first of three changes.

Thiago Silva was rested and should be fit enough to replace £70million centre-half Fofana, who had a disastrous performance last time out.

Midfield

We’ve gone for an unchanged midfield trio on Sunday.

Enzo Fernandez has been a dead-certain starter in every match since arriving in January. It’s obvious that Lampard is a big fan of Conor Gallagher, too.

We think 19-year-old talent Carney Chukwuemeka has done enough to be handed a second consecutive start, especially as Lampard praised his performance in Manchester.

Attack

Our guess is there could be two changes to the front three against Newcastle.

Noni Madueke could start again on the right wing, albeit we suspect Hakim Ziyech may get some late minutes and a chance to wave goodbye.

Mykhailo Mudryk really struggled at Old Trafford and could drop to the bench in place of Christian Pulisic, who’s another Chelsea player linked with a potential summer exit.

Finally, Thursday night’s goalscorer Joao Felix could replace Kai Havertz in the striker position.

Chelsea predicted line-up

Kepa
Azpilicueta Chalobah Silva Hall
Chukwuemeka Fernandez Gallagher
Madueke Felix Pulisic

IN: Thiago Silva, Joao Felix, Christian Pulisic
OUT: Wesley Fofana, Kai Havertz, Mykhailo Mudryk