Based on recent form and what I can imagine is a player only improving Kovacic must be challenging for a place.

Regardless, you’ve got a strong looking team there where half the outfield players are young, English, academy products. That is reason to be cheerful.

no one here has seen Reece James in the premiership yet but all claim hes the new Ashley cole. In that team youve selected there is no leader and very little experience.

Out of all our academy graduates...Loftus-Cheek is going to find it the toughest to break into the first-choice starting lineup I'd imagine.
By the time he's fully fit in December/January, the likes of Mount, Cal, Tammy, Puli will be well-drilled and established in Frank's style of play/philosophy (He has to hope they fall off a cliff performance wise).

Let's just say for arguments sake that he's competing only against Mount, Loftus-Cheek will have to match Mount' potent ability to press with high-intensity/energy, tenacity, aggressiveness out of possession.
All of which Loftus-Cheek struggles with at the best of times, deficiencies.

That being said...best team when everyones fit:

Kepa
RJ AC Rudi Emerson
Kante Kovacic
Cal Mount Puli
Tammy


Cal & Puli interchanging positions.
Not fixed on that formation though, I suspect a variety of formations (from 4231/433 to 442 diamond to even 343 at some points) to be deployed through the season adapting.

I like OP’s team, however RLC bursting forward from slightly deeper in midfield is one of our biggest weapons, unstoppable when he’s fit. Will he be as effective when starting further up the pitch?

In saying that it’ll be handy having players who suit different formations as it gives more options and flexibility to change a game

Probs about right with that Bluej...just

Given that team leaves out Kov Peds Willian Pulisic Zouma Barkley & Giroud....i'd say when everyone's fit we are looking very good, aren't we

comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 0 seconds ago
Probs about right with that Bluej...just

Given that team leaves out Kov Peds Willian Pulisic Zouma Barkley & Giroud....i'd say when everyone's fit we are looking very good, aren't we


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not to mention Azpi & Zappa (if he stays) - we could possibly experiment with a 3-5-2 here & there at some stage too...which i'd like to see

Zappacosta left last week and made his debut for Roma yesterday.

Yes, it seems like a pretty decent squad all in all. MF, I was surprised to hear someone say that RLC may not just walk back into the side - which most wouldn’t even imagine after his performances in the second half of last season. It is a shame that both he and Mount both play in that number 10 position - it would be nice to have them both in the team together without forcing a round peg into a square hole. RLC does bring something to the team that nobody else in midfield can offer - which is strength and height. Everyone else (Kante, Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount, Pulisic, CHO, Willian, Pedro) is small - only Barkley has a slightly bigger stature. That can be helpful in some games - although I agree with you, MF, when you suggest playing with high intensity is not his forte.

I realize this is imperfect because RLC does not generally play this deep, but I wonder if this formation would work:

—————————Kepa————————-
James———Christensen——Rudiger——Emerson
——————-Kante———RLC———————-
——-CHO————Mount————Pulisic——
————————Abraham———————-

As well as Jorginho and Kovacic have done so far, there is no question that they are a bit lightweight. RLC would certainly boost the strength in our midfield like Essien used to do. Plus that would allow us to include Mount in his best position, and Pulisic too.

comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 1 hour, 27 minutes ago
Zappacosta left last week and made his debut for Roma yesterday.
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Ahh...ok that passed me by...not surprised

To try and get our best attacking players in the team I would go for this formation 3-2-4-1 lining up like this

Keep
Azpilicueta/James, Christensen, Rudigier
Kante, Jorginho/ Kovacic
CHO, RLC, Mount, Pulisic
Abraham.

The dilemma will be getting Loftus-Cheek & Mount in the team together. I like RLC in a three man midfield, with the added protection it gives him impetus to drive forward with the ball which he's very good at - could work in a mid 2 but the balance everywhere else would need to be perfect. I can't say anymore about Mount other than he seems very suited to the no.10 role. He'd probably hack the three but it would be in the position RLC would occupy.

The best formation to accommodate them both would probably be the 4312, which would also suit Jorginho at the base + Giroud/Abraham would be a decent striking combo for it provided the FB on Giroud's side got high enough to make up for his static target man style. But of course, no Pulisic or CHO there.

Lots of options for Lampard to chew on.

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