Based on pre-season so far, this is what it looks like for the start of the PL:
---------------------------Kepa---------------------------
Azpi-------Christensen/Zouma----Luiz----Emerson
-----------------Kante-------Jorginho-------------------
Pedro-----------------Mount----------------Pulisic
--------------------------Abraham-------------------------
There are still a few positions to be decided of course:
Christensen or Zouma alongside Luiz? I'm really not sure based on what we have seen so far. Looks like Tomori will be sent out on loan - and of course Rudiger to return shortly.
You'd have to assume Kante and Jorginho will be Lampard's first choice midfield pairing if fit. But he has also praised Kovacic, so who knows.
Willian isn't back yet, so it's difficult to judge what Lampard thinks of him, but you'd suspect Pedro must be first choice for that right wing for now.
It's only based on one showing - but it sounded like Pulisic played really well today.
Mount is possibly in the driver's seat for that central attacking midfield position, but by all accounts Barkley played well too.
It sounds like Lampard likes the energy that Abraham brings to the striker's role.
Still time for Zouma, Alonso, Kovacic, Barkley and Giroud/Batshuayi to stake a claim for a first team place though.
Team for start of the Season
posted on 23/7/19
I must admit when everyone's fit I really like the look of our squad for next season.
---------------------------Kepa---------------------------
Azpi/James--rudiger/Zouma-Christensen/Luiz------Emerson/Alonso
-----------------Kante-------Jorginho/kovacic-------------------
Pedro/CHO-----------RLC/Mount----------------Pulisic/willian
--------------------------Abraham/Giroud-------------------------
posted on 23/7/19
dont think Bats is gonna make it i think giroud will start with Tammy as back up, but we are playing ok football in segments and bad in others. mount not as good today but still ok Barkley did really well when he came on. Some good keeping from Kepa.Thought Alonso looked better of the two left backs. Tammy showed a good head for the goal but wasted a few chances as did Kenedy, but Kenedy is getting in great positions so far and is a very direct asset to have. We are still missing Kante and willian, will be interesting to see Willian as a nr.10.
Good showing from Pulisic today also some quite mazy runs from him in the first half.
posted on 24/7/19
I think we'll start the season with:
Kepa
Azpi Chris Luiz Emerson
Jorginho Kovacic
Pedro Mount Pulisic
Giroud
Willian and Kante to be eased in. Rudiger and Cho hopefully return in September.
posted on 24/7/19
Pulisic x 11
soccer?lol.
posted on 24/7/19
iVE put Pusilic & Tammy in FF...
posted on 24/7/19
Your lineup looks about right. Giroud hasn't start a pre-season match yet, safe to say he wont be starting the season opener.
Ideally 1st choice team ends up being (until the new year):
Kepa
RJ AC Luiz Emerson
Kante Mount Jorginho
Cal Tammy Puli
Half youth, half experience.
Cal & Puli interchanging positions.
posted on 24/7/19
I'm not fussed whoever starts between Jorginho & Kovacic.
posted on 24/7/19
Kovacic no longer bind to Sarri's rigid restrictive patterns could be a joy to watch, on a consistent basis.