Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said he is happy to have more options after the successful experiment with a new formation in the 3-1 win over Luton Town on Sunday.
It was a rather surprising decision from Lampard, who has been quite adamant with the 4-3-3 system in the past few months.
He opted for a 4-4-2 (or 4-2-2-2) formation which gave Chelsea an extra man in attack at the expense of losing a man in midfield.
Lampard explained the decision after the game.
“I’m forever considering the attributes of players within the team, within the system,” he said in his post-match press conference on Sunday (via Chelsea’s official website).
“That’s part of the process of this year when you’re looking at new players, young players and can we find the right way.”
Lampard also praised the midfield pair Billy Gilmour and Mason Mount who had to cover more of the pitch with the new formation.
“I thought the two of them in midfield were great. Their movement of the ball, their discipline in the role,” he explained.
“When you’re used to playing in a three, and it’s a two, clearly it’s different and you have to be more disciplined because you’re trying to get players higher up the pitch.”
On whether it would be the default formation going forward, Lampard added: “Today it was right for us. I don’t know if it is the way forward, but it was great to see the options that it brought.”
Chronicle view
A new formation, at least as an option, is certainly what Chelsea need after getting more predictable with the 4-3-3 system.
Having only two midfielders certainly come with its own risks, particularly against stronger sides, but in games where Chelsea could dominate the possession of the ball, and they often do, it might be worth the risks.
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