Chelsea are ready to play their final away game of the 2022/23 Premier League season when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Thursday, May 25. Last Word on Sports tries to put together a Chelsea Predicted Lineup as they aim to salvage a respectable result in their final away trip of the campaign.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Manchester United
Focused on tomorrow. 👊 pic.twitter.com/yCb8GVaUbC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 24, 2023
How Chelsea Have Lined-Up Recently
Frank Lampard has enjoyed a pretty torrid period as Chelsea’s interim manager since he took over last month and struggled to get them going towards the end of the season. He constantly seems to be chopping and changing his team and has struggled to find an ideal starting XI so far.
The players who often appear under him and are likely to continue to feature are the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Thiago Silva, January signing Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher and Raheem Sterling. Joao Felix, who arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid in January, is also likely to be back for this and could spearhead the frontline alongside fellow winter signing, Noni Madueke.
Chelsea Recent Form and Tactics
The Blues have experienced woeful form under Lampard’s guidance, having won just one out of their last 10 games in all competitions and are set to finish at the bottom half of the Premier League for the first time in decades.
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When it comes to Lampard’s tactics, it has been a pretty predictable pattern so far. However, he’s been trying hard to at least get his side to be more threatening in the attack and try to create chances through a variety of patterns. He’s usually fielded a 4-3-3 formation in recent games, that allows the midfield trio to drop deep when needed to protect the backline.
Chelsea usually structures their attacking moves through the wings, using their wide players to progress the ball forward. Due to their defensive style, they also look to break through in numbers on counter-attacks, but they definitely need to be more ruthless in finishing those chances to win their last two games of the campaign.
Chelsea Key Players
Thiago Silva has arguably been Chelsea’s best player this season, mostly because he’s been the least erroneous, most dependable figure at the back. The Brazilian veteran needs to bring his best to the table to stop Manchester United’s swift attacks and hold his backline together to survive the onslaught at Old Trafford.
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Arrizabalaga also needs to bring his best shot-stopping ability to frustrate the hosts. Fernandez will have to be at his energetic best in midfield, sniffing out attacks and winning the ball in key areas to frustrate United. Chelsea’s frontline players have let them down this season, but Felix – who was hailed as a ‘special talent’ by Alvaro Morata last year – could change that by being more clinical in the final third and create chances with his witty style. Sterling also often gets at the end of chances, but needs to be more ruthless with his finishing to stun the hosts.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
Lampard has confirmed that January signing Benoit Badiashile will be out for many months due to a hamstring injury, while the likes of Ben Chilwell, Reece James and Mason Mount have also been ruled out for this match.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly, Lewis Hall, Enzo Fernandez, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke, Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix
