FRANK LAMPARD is set to rotate his Chelsea side for the Thursday night visit of Manchester City.
A quickfire comeback win over Aston Villa got the Blues off to a winning start in their first game back following the Premier League’s shutdown.
Taking to the field again just four days later will likely demand a few changes to the XI that started in the West Midlands, with Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic poised to come in.
Even though Olivier Giroud netted the winner on Sunday, he may be dropped with Abraham fit to make his first start since February 1.
On the flanks, Lampard will have to decide between taking out either Willian or Mason Mount if he wants to reward Pulisic after his scoring appearance off the bench at Villa.
Fikayo Tomori and Callum Hudson-Odoi are set to miss out through injury but Jorginho is back from suspension.
The Italian will be knocking on the door of the line-up after Ruben Loftus-Cheek made his long-awaited return last time out.
And Lampard may introduce Ross Barkley to the XI after promising to be “more aggressive” when facing City.
He stated ahead of the match: “You have to plan and look forward so I have got an idea and I will look at how players recover first and foremost.
“It is a big ask because some players who have played 90 minutes today when I didn’t expect them to. Some have been out for a while and how do their bodies recover so I will look at that as well.
“It will be a different type of game, City. It will be a team who want to play possession so a big part of our game will be our pressing.
“Against City we will want to be more aggressive in the work we do to win it back. We will look at the attributes of the players and we will see.”
Pep Guardiola’s side have been on fire since football’s restart, winning both their games at an aggregate score of 8-0.
The visitors are expected to once again make a raft of changes for the 8.15pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
Should Lampard decide not to do so, he has advised his players to remain patient for the busy run-in ahead.
The Blues boss said: “It’s very important to let the players know that this is more than ever a squad game over this period.
“Certainly nobody should get their head down at not starting. We’re going to have to make subs and we’re going to need impact off the bench.”
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By: Marc Mayo
Title: How Chelsea will line up against Man City with Abraham and Pulisic set to start up front as Lampard hints at changes
Sourced From: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/11940953/chelsea-line-up-man-city-abraham-pulisic/
Published Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2020 10:44:34 +0000
