The Chelsea Lineup That Should Start Against West Bromwich Albion

Chelsea's Premier League trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon represents Frank Lampard's latest opportunity to try and form a cohesive set up from the raft of new, expensive talent assembled at Stamford Bridge this summer.

No other team in Europe has spent in excess of £100m in the current window, yet Chelsea have already forked out more than double that eye-watering figure. Fitness issues have limited Lampard's use of the new boys so far, but the Blues were able to hand debuts to both Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva in midweek.

With fellow summer addition Hakim Ziyech still sidelined, Lampard doesn't quite have his full array of options to choose from. However, the legendary player turned manager has a wealth of talents at his disposal ahead of the trip to the Hawthorns.


1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Édouard Mendy (GK) - Chelsea's latest summer signing compares very favourably with the club's current number one Kepa Arrizabalaga. Mendy only joined Chelsea on Thursday but Lampard may feel the need to turn to his new custodian as soon as possible after Kepa's latest calamitous error against Liverpool.

Reece James (RB) - The 20-year-old full-back broke into the first team last season and has cemented his place this campaign, providing a consistent outlet out wide with his superb delivery.

Kurt Zouma (CB) - Chelsea were horribly vulnerable to crossed set-pieces last season. Zouma's aerial prowess elevates him above the club's other centre-back options when it comes to defending balls into the box.

Thiago Silva (CB) - The experienced Brazil international was eased into action with an hour against Barnsley in midweek and may be in line for his Premier League debut this weekend.

Ben Chilwell (LB) - The former Leicester City full-back only needed 24 minutes to lay on his first assist for the club after coming on in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. However, Chelsea will benefit more from his proficiency at the other end of the pitch having conceded a whopping 54 league goals last season.


2. Midfielders

Jorginho (DM) - After spending much of the season as a regular, Lampard only turned to Jorginho post-lockdown when injuries forced his hand. Rumours of a move to Juventus this window have gone cold after Maurizio Sarri's sacking and the club's vice-captain has started both two Premier League games.

N'Golo Kanté (CM) - Injury deprived Chelsea of Kanté's tireless services for 22 games last season. But, when fit, the World Cup winner is still one of the best ball-winners in the division.

Mateo Kovacic (CM) - The Croatian's neat passing and weaving dribbles often relieves pressure for Chelsea. Kovacic ended the domestic season with a red card in the FA Cup final but had been one of Chelsea's most impressive performers in the lead up to the showpiece.


3. Forwards

Mason Mount (RW) - With Ziyech still injured, Mount's versatility should allow him to fill in on the right flank. The 21-year-old England international missed just two of Chelsea's 55 matches across all competitions last season and has so far been able to keep his place despite the new additions.

Kai Havertz (ST) - Havertz netted his first goals for Chelsea against Barnsley as the number ten in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but he has plenty of experience playing through the middle for Bayer Leverkusen. His tendency to drop into midfield will pose testing questions of West Brom's less than parsimonious backline.

Timo Werner (LW) - While many of Chelsea's new signings have either struggled for fitness or form in the embryonic stages of the current campaign, Werner looked as sharp as ever kitted out in blue. The jet-heeled forward won a penalty in each of his two appearances and continued to trouble Liverpool's backline even after Chelsea went down to ten men.



Source : 90min