The Blues have been ravaged by injuries, but the first-year manager appears to have discovered a solution
Frank Lampard has just discovered the solution to Chelsea’s tactical problems. His 3-4-2-1 formation worked superbly against Tottenham, with Mason Mount and Ross Barkley excelling as tandem number 10s feeding off Olivier Giroud’s lay-offs. When the Frenchman stayed high to pin the centre-backs, the two playmakers came short; when Giroud dropped off, these two ran in behind, providing a longer through-ball option that stretched and exhausted the visitors.
The formation also meant Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic had plenty of players in central attacking midfield to hit with incisive vertical passes, a feature both they and Lampard enjoy.