Frank Lampard has some serious decisions to make when deciding which players to bring in or to leave out against Leicester City.
He certainly shocked a few when the line-up for the Fulham fixture was announced and Chelsea fans will hope there are no more surprises in store
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s exclusion was perhaps the biggest head-scratcher, especially after he’d scored and assisted twice in his previous four appearances.
Nonetheless, the 20-year-old was again impactful off the bench and was involved in the decisive winner from Mason Mount.
Lampard would face the wrath of Blues supporters if he were to overlook Hudson-Odoi once more so his inclusion from the start is a must, as he looks the Blues’ most exciting attacker right now.
Alongside him in attack will probably be Timo Werner, but after missing another glorious chance at Fulham, I think Tammy Abraham should be given the lead as main striker.
Leicester have strong, physical centre-backs and with Chelsea’s obsession of crossing into the box, they will need a target to aim for that can be provided by Abraham’s 6ft3 frame.
On the weekend, Lampard filled the void left by N’Golo Kante with the lackluster Jorginho. Billy Gilmour was waiting patiently in the dugout and deserves a runout as the deepest of Chelsea’s trio in the middle.
Brendan Rodger’s side has energy in that area of the field. Therefore, a more mobile option like Gilmour has to be implemented. He, alongside Mount, will certainly give the Foxes a run for their money in work-rate.
Kai Havertz needs to prove himself as the big occasion player Chelsea signed him for and with his aerial ability, he could be a real threat going forward. Hence why I would draft him in for what will be a very youthful, positive looking midfield three.
In defence, there can’t be many complaints with the straight swap of Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta at right back. Azpilicueta’s legs have looked weary over the past weeks and its time for a reboot.
Antonio Rudiger was a solid replacement for Kurt Zouma against Fulham and there’s no reason he can’t do the same against much tougher opposition.
Considering Jamie Vardy’s threat in behind, I would play him and Zouma together over Thiago Silva mainly for their pace.