That’s it.
Chelsea wins this game and we can get back to playing Champions League football. It will not be easy against Liverpool. The question is: Should we continue with the successful strategy of the Sunday of three in the back or return to the one of four behind?
THE CHOICE OF PEOPLE
Given how well 3-4-3 performed in the FA Cup, it was not surprising to see it preferred by the WAGNH community as well, and by a fairly wide margin over 4-3-3 (31%) and 4 -2- 3-1 (7%). (Editor’s Note: We clearly don’t recall the last two times Lampard held 3-4-3 for more than a single app game.)
Otherwise, there are not too many community changes, although Kepa Arrizabalaga is restored over the goalkeeper Willy Caballero (28%).
No change in defense, with the same three backs starting against Manchester United. Andreas Christensen (17%) remains in disgrace; The same occurs with Emerson (2%) and the return of the injury Fikayo Tomori (7%).
The only big change is in the midfield, with Jorginho (59%) not getting enough votes to partner with Mateo Kovačić like on Sunday. With Barkley’s tastes (19%) disadvantaged, Loftus-Cheek (13%) is not yet up to date, and both N’Golo Kanté and Billy Gilmour were injured, it is Mason Mount who therefore falls into a more position deep, making his way to Christian Pulisic on the left wing. Lampard choosing to associate Mount with Kovačić would certainly be a bold move.
As previously mentioned, Pulisic returns to the lineup after having rested over the weekend and joins Willian and Olivier Giroud in the attack trident. None of Callum Hudson-Odoi (10%), Tammy Abraham (8%), Pedro (3%) or Michy Batshuayi (1%) came close to unseating any of those headlines. Talk about a clear result.
3-4-3 (61%):
Arrizabalaga (72%) | Rüdiger (84%), Zouma (95%), Azpilicueta (98%) | Alonso (72%), Monte (81%), Kovačić (94%), James (86%) | Pulisic (67%), Giroud (91%), Willian (78%)
PREFERRED LINE
I’m cautious as we’ve had some good performances playing 3-4-3 only to be awful in the next game, but seeing how well the team played it definitely makes sense to run with him once again. Despite feeling that Christensen would be the best option, I chose the same lineup simply for consistency reasons. Then no [FUN] this, Toni.
3-4-3
Arrizabalaga | Rüdiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta | Alonso, Monte, Kovačić, James | Pulisic, Giroud, Willian
Come on, blues!
