How Chelsea could line up with Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell?
While most clubs have been put on the back foot ahead of the transfer window due to the coronavirus pandemic, Chelsea have gone on the attack early – firing warning shots to their Premier League rivals.
After wrapping up the £38million signature of Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech in February, Frank Lampard’s side have followed that up by agreeing a sensational £53m deal for RB Leipzig and Germany striker Timo Werner.
Chelsea are set to have a formidable attack next season as they look to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City at the Premier League’s summit, but they are also eyeing up defensive reinforcements to make them more resolute – with a move for Leicester’s Ben Chilwell in the pipeline.
Here, Sportsmail has taken a look at how the Blues could potentially line up ahead of the 2020-21 campaign…
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has made his moves quickly ahead of the summer transfer market
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GOALKEEPER
KEPA ARRIZABALAGA
While he has endured a tough time under Lampard of late – being dropped for six consecutive matches while Willy Caballero deputised in January and February – he is set to reassert his authority for the No 1 spot.
After impressing against Liverpool in the FA Cup and keeping a clean sheet against Everton prior to football’s suspension, he will be quietly confident of keeping Caballero at bay.
Being dropped by Lampard would have been a real eye-opener for the Spaniard but he will be hoping that is well in the past now.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will be looking to stamp down his authority for the No 1 spot next season
DEFENCE
REECE JAMES
James has been one of the success stories at Stamford Bridge so far during what has been a disrupted season – and he is certainly one for the future at Chelsea.
The 20-year-old English right back has featured 26 times in all competitions for the Blues this campaign, scoring twice and creating four assists – showing no signs of nerves during his breakthrough season at Stamford Bridge.
His strength, speed and power are hugely impressive for a 20-year-old and while he has shown great quality going forward, he has also displayed he can deal with the Premier League’s best wingers, shutting out Wilfried Zaha at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season.
Reece James can make the right back spot his own for years to come at Stamford Bridge
ANTONIO RUDIGER
The Germany international is set to be the father figure in the Chelsea backline next season as Lampard continues his youth revolution in west London.
The 27-year-old, who has reportedly played a big role in persuading Werner to move to the club, is a leader in the heart of defence for Chelsea and has the physical presence to deal with the league’s best forwards.
Lampard will be looking to count on all of Rudiger’s experience next season with a young backline beside him.
Lampard will be hoping to count on Antonio Rudiger’s experience in the heart of defence
FIKAYO TOMORI
Tomori has enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough season at Chelsea after following Lampard back to the club from Derby, where he played a crucial role in helping the Rams reach the Championship play-off final while he was on loan.
The centre back, who earned his first England cap against Kosovo in November last year, has featured 22 times for the Blues this term – receiving full trust from his manager despite the huge pressure that comes from Premier League football.
The 22-year-old has the physicality needed for the Premier League and with more experience under his belt, he is only going to get better.
Fikayo Tomori has enjoyed a superb breakthrough season in West London under Lampard
BEN CHILWELL
Chelsea are in hot pursuit of Leicester and England left back Ben Chilwell, rated at £85m, ahead of a summer move and if they were to acquire his signature, it would be yet another huge statement of intent.
Chilwell has developed into one of the Premier League’s best left backs, playing an influential role during Leicester’s remarkable season – which has left them on the brink of securing a Champions League spot ahead of next term.
His unrelenting pace and determination to attack down the left causes huge problems for the opposition and Chelsea would have some left-flank if they were able to get their man.
Chelsea are in hot pursuit of England and Leicester left back Ben Chilwell this summer
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD
N’GOLO KANTE
Always the first man on the team sheet for Chelsea when he is fit. French World Cup winner Kante is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world and would walk into any team.
The Frenchman has endured an injury-plagued season suffering ankle and back problems, but Lampard will be desperate to have him back fully fit.
Speaking during football’s suspension, Lampard told Sky Sports: ‘We obviously need N’Golo Kante back in our team, one of the best players in the world. I knew that before I became manager of Chelsea and know that now from working with him. I haven’t been able to have him much this year and going forward we, of course, want him fit and raring to go.’
French World Cup winner N’Golo Kante remains the first name on the team sheet for Chelsea
MATEO KOVACIC
After enduring a mixed season last time out under Maurizio Sarri after regularly being switched around with Ross Barkley, Kovacic has gone from strength-to-strength under Lampard.
The Croatian midfielder has been a regular for Chelsea this season, playing 37 times in all competitions, and his tidiness and awareness on the ball allows the Blues to get out of uncomfortable situations at the back and start the counter-attack.
With a formidable attack ahead of him, Kovacic could be a real danger man next season at Stamford Bridge.
Mateo Kovacic has enjoyed an improved season after inconsistency under Maurizio Sarri
ATTACKING MIDFIELD
HAKIM ZIYECH
There will be plenty of excitement ahead of next season among Chelsea fans and that will largely be down to the addition of Ajax and Morocco star Ziyech.
Chelsea agreed a £38m deal in February to sign the winger this summer after he caught the attention of European football following his performances for Ajax – most notably during their semi-final run in the Champions League.
His performances for a young Ajax side underline his creative talent and he is set to cause opposition defenders plenty of problems next season. After 21 goals and 24 assists during the 2018-19 campaign, he followed that up with eight goals and 21 assists this time out before Dutch football was called off in April.
Hakim Ziyech is set to add some huge creative talent to Chelsea’s attacking line-up
MASON MOUNT
Mount was one of Derby’s standout performers under Lampard in 2018-19 and his manager has continued to show faith in the England youngster this time round.
The 21-year-old is certainly still learning his trade, but he has already shown brilliant maturity and consistency in the Premier League – which has seen him rewarded with a place in the England set-up of late.
Mount has netted six goals and five assists from his playmaker role, and one of Chelsea’s fan favourites is likely to retain his place in the starting XI next campaign.
Youngster Mason Mount has shown great maturity and consistency in the Premier League
CHRISTIAN PULISIC
Injuries have somewhat marred Pulisic’s debut season at Stamford Bridge, but before sustaining a muscle problem against Brighton on New Year’s Day, the United States international enjoyed a fine campaign.
After an initial slow start to life at Chelsea, Pulisic went on to record six goals and as many assists in 23 fixtures for the Premier League outfit in all competitions.
He will be desperate to continue from where he left off, and a potential link-up with Chilwell down the left could cause havoc in the Premier League next season.
Christian Pulisic had enjoyed a fine season before suffering a muscle injury on New Year’s Day
STRIKER
TIMO WERNER
The one Chelsea supporters are dreaming of. For so long, it appeared Werner was on his way to champions-elect Liverpool but after cooling their interest, the Blues have been quick to swoop in.
Chelsea are now on the brink of wrapping up his signature and what a signing it would be. The 24-year-old German is one of the prized assets in European football. In four years at RB Leipzig he has 75 goals in 122 Bundesliga appearances and this season his form has fired his club to the last eight of the Champions League for the first time.
He has the potential to develop into the best striker in world football and if this signing gets over the line, this could be a real game-changer for Chelsea. Could it propel them to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for the title?
RB Leipzig star Timo Werner could be a real game-changer for Lampard’s young Chelsea side
