Why is it that Frank Lampard can’t seem to figure very basic tactical movements out? The recent Everton game was a clear hiccup in Frank’s tactical knowledge.
We had three main players out injured which are integral to the nature of the 4-3-3 formation that Frank has used in the last few weeks.
Therefore the 4-3-3 formation wasn’t going to work against Everton. With no out and out winger playing, Everton’s (substitute) full-backs were not going to be troubled by typical ‘wing play’.
Timo Werner as Chidge pointed out a couple of weeks ago, isn’t a winger. So he can’t keep playing on the wing. Kai Havertz also isn’t a winger. He doesn’t have the pace and take on ability that Callu Hudson-Odoi or Christian Pulisic has.
I also think Mateo Kovacic shouldn’t have played. Here goes some more Jorghino praise but please, hold your breath. Last season at Palace we were really up against it with 15 minutes to go. Frank bought on Jorg and he controlled the last 15 from midfield.
Even if you hate the guy you still couldn’t not notice that he controlled that last 15. Against Everton we needed that control from midfield. Jorginho could’ve offered that. Have N’Golo Kante next to him and Mason Mount/Havertz in front of them, and all of a sudden we have a dangerously compact and physical midfield with a player that can dictate it too.
Play then with two strikers and a support player (Mount or Havertz) and we have a whole new formation of 4-2-2-2. This could’ve worked on Saturday and we may have beaten Everton.
However, this isn’t all doom and gloom as Frank has put in some seriously good tactical performances too. Tottenham home and away last season, he totally out classed Jose Mourinho. Again the Cup game v Liverpool. Billy Gilmour was the perfect player to get in between Fabinho during that game and we reaped the rewards. I just think he needs to be a bit more vigilant and trusting of certain players.
Werner, my favourite German since Michael Ballack, needs a rest. Like Maurizio Sarri not resting Eden Hazard, Lampard isn’t resting Werner. He is clearly not the same player he was at the start of the season.
Werner has also played all of Germany’s games in the Nations League since September too. Also, we can’t get carried away with his goals just yet, 3 of them are penalties. Again I’m not hating on Werner but I don’t want to get carried away either. On the German connection, when Havertz has been on form, his performances resemble the Juve ‘Pogba’. Confident, strong and seriously impressive.
Anyone that saw Pogba play for Juve will know what I mean. Havertz however has a flair that I don’t think Pogba has ever had. I just hope Havertz can get better faster as I think Chelsea really miss his influence in midfield.
Kante and Mount however have had fantastic runs of form. Kante is looking fully fit again and at times totally unplayable in midfield. If anything he looks back to Antonio Conte levels of closing down and winning the ball back. I must admit I felt we should’ve cashed in on Kante at the start of the season due to the fact he kept getting injured.
However his return to form shows exactly why we closed shop. With Kante somewhat back to his defensive best, we can expect Mount to have even more freedom. Mount has been exceptional all season and for my money has been our player of the season. I totally see why Frank keeps using him as he is simply phenomenal.
The game against Leeds in particular. It was a complete midfield masterclass and he was unplayable. One nagging problem is Mount’s lack of goals. Similar to the Italian midfielder Barella (previously mentioned when I spoke about Mount in October) he just needs to score more. They’re very similar box to box midfielders. Although I do think Mount edges it in sheer technical ability. If he keeps it up I can honestly see him being a Chelsea equivalent to Zidane.
The good news is that we are in a title race so far this season. Without doubt it’s a three horse race at the top. I’ve said it since October that if we can get a run of games together we could really pull away from the pack. This article was inspired by a string of tweets I saw from @izzdashizz. A true blue and a guy that puts across some very interesting points about Chelsea that are sometimes left field. I’d love to hear what the rest of the Fancast think about the issues I’ve raised.
Up the Chels.
