Frank Lampard’s second spell as Chelsea manager begins in defeat

  Frank Lampard's Second Spell as Chelsea Manager Begins with a Defeat

Tags: Frank Lampard, Chelsea, Premier League, Football, Tottenham Hotspur, Tactics, Analysis

Introduction

Match Details

Lampard's Tactics

Analysis of the Game

Conclusion

Introduction:

Frank Lampard's return to Chelsea as the manager had been highly anticipated by the fans and football pundits alike. After an impressive first season where he guided Chelsea to a top-four finish and an FA Cup final, Lampard was expected to continue his good work in the 2020/21 season. However, things did not go as planned, and Lampard was sacked in January 2021. After a six-month hiatus, Lampard returned to the Chelsea dugout for the first time since his dismissal, but his second spell as the manager began with a defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Match Details:

Chelsea faced Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 4th August 2023, in their opening game of the 2023/24 Premier League season. The match was expected to be a tough one for Lampard's side, as Tottenham had strengthened their squad significantly in the summer transfer window. The game kicked off at 3 PM local time, and both teams were eager to get off to a good start in the new season.

Lampard's Tactics:

Frank Lampard opted for a 4-3-3 formation for the game, with Kepa Arrizabalaga starting in goal. The back four consisted of Reece James, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, and Ben Chilwell. N'Golo Kante played in the defensive midfield position, with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz playing ahead of him. The front three comprised of Christian Pulisic, Romelu Lukaku, and Hakim Ziyech.

Lampard's tactics were aimed at controlling the midfield and creating chances for his front three. However, the lack of defensive cover in midfield exposed Chelsea's back four, and they struggled to deal with Tottenham's attacking threat.

Analysis of the Game:

Tottenham started the game brightly and took the lead in the 15th minute through Son Heung-min. Chelsea tried to respond quickly, but their attacks lacked creativity and penetration. Tottenham doubled their lead in the 32nd minute through Harry Kane, who scored with a well-placed shot from outside the box. Chelsea tried to get back into the game, but their attacks were dealt with comfortably by Tottenham's defense.

In the second half, Lampard made a few changes, bringing on Callum Hudson-Odoi and Saul Niguez for Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz, respectively. The changes did little to change the game's outcome, as Tottenham continued to dominate the midfield and create chances. Kepa Arrizabalaga made a few important saves to keep Chelsea in the game, but Tottenham's defense held firm, and the game ended 2-0 in their favor.

From a tactical perspective, Lampard's decision to play N'Golo Kante as a lone defensive midfielder was questionable. Kante is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, but he needs support in midfield to be effective. Playing Kante as a lone midfielder meant that he had to cover too much ground, and he struggled to cope with Tottenham's attacking threat. Lampard's decision to start with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal also raised eyebrows, as the Spanish goalkeeper has been error-prone in the past.

Conclusion:

Frank Lampard's second spell as Chelsea manager began with a defeat, but there were some positives to take from the game. Romelu Lukaku looked sharp