Frank Lampard’s Chelsea: Tactical Evolution and Early Success in 2020/21
Frank Lampard’s return to Chelsea as manager saw a remarkable shift in direction for the club, especially throughout the early part of the 2020-21 Premier League campaign. After a solid first season marked by bold trust in youth and smart management despite a transfer ban, Lampard entered his second term bolstered by several high-profile signings. After nine league games, Chelsea climbed to second in the table, displaying both tactical flexibility and impressive squad integration. This analysis explores how Lampard’s tactical tweaks, formation decisions, and key personnel changes positioned Chelsea as genuine title challengers.
Adopting the 4-3-3: Formation and Flexibility
Chelsea’s tactical identity under Lampard shifted in the 2020-21 season, most notably with the reintroduction of the 4-3-3 as the primary system. This formational switch coincided with significant changes in the starting lineup:
– Experienced figures like Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, Emerson, and Jorginho saw reduced roles.
– New arrivals such as Thiago Silva and Edouard Mendy, plus the return of N’Golo Kante to a defensive midfield position, reshaped the team’s spine.
– Mason Mount moved into a deeper midfield role, while Mateo Kovacic transitioned from the left to the right side of central midfield.
Lampard’s philosophy embraced player versatility. Timo Werner, initially viewed as a central striker, adapted to roles on the left and through the middle. Kai Havertz alternated between attacking midfield, right wing, and central positions. Hakim Ziyech added further options on the right, giving Lampard the freedom to rotate and experiment without compromising team cohesion.
Sticking to Youth: Integration Amidst New Signings
Despite significant investment during the summer transfer window, Lampard continued to trust young talents who thrived in the previous season. Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, and Reece James retained prominent roles and often started ahead of more experienced or newly signed players. However, rotation remained a fixture, with Ben Chilwell, Edouard Mendy, and Thiago Silva making immediate impacts and establishing themselves as regulars.
Lampard’s Tactical Adaptability
Though the 4-3-3 emerged as Chelsea’s regular setup, Lampard’s adaptability was apparent. Depending on the opposition and available personnel, Chelsea frequently deployed alternative shapes:
– 4-2-3-1, featuring a double-pivot of Jorginho and Kante.
– Conte-esque 3-4-2-1 for added defensive solidity and width.
– A variation of the 4-2-2-2, reminiscent of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s pressing systems.
Ultimately, the 4-3-3 proved most successful, especially following a switch back during a winning run across all competitions. Kante’s entrenched status as the primary defensive midfielder often dictated the shape, with the flexibility to pivot to a 4-2-3-1 depending on who filled the midfield trio.
The Shifting Role of Jorginho
Jorginho, once pivotal in Chelsea’s possession and build-up, experienced a noticeable change in status. Despite still playing important minutes, statistical analysis showed a reduction in influence:
– His average passes per 90 minutes dropped from nearly 86 in the previous season to 67.
– Jorginho fell from first to eleventh in Chelsea’s squad for passes per game.
This shift coincided with more build-up play funneled through center-backs—especially Thiago Silva—and an increased defensive role for Kante. While Jorginho’s creative qualities remained, Chelsea’s reliance on him for starting attacks diminished. Instead, he occupied more advanced positions, making forward runs and creating chances in the final third rather than dictating the tempo from deep.
Front Three Synergy: Werner, Ziyech, and Abraham
A significant factor in Chelsea’s attacking effectiveness has been the interplay between Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, and Tammy Abraham:
– Werner’s movement from the left into central areas complemented Abraham’s hold-up play and Ziyech’s creativity from the right.
– Ziyech’s ability to cut in onto his left foot and deliver quality crosses or incisive passes added unpredictability and balance.
– Both Werner and Ziyech operated as inverted wingers, consistently seeking to link with Abraham in advanced areas.
This front trio enabled Chelsea to vary their attacking approach, switching between direct counter-attacking and structured possession. Ziyech provided a unique creative spark not seen since Eden Hazard, while Werner’s dribbling and spatial awareness opened up defenses from deeper positions. Abraham, acting as a classic target man, allowed others to play off him and exploited spaces with his timing and physicality.
Expanding the Attack: Dynamic Midfield Involvement
Against defensive teams employing deep blocks, Chelsea often pushed more players into attack:
– Full-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell frequently overlapped, at times transforming Chelsea’s shape into a 2-3-5 during sustained possession.
– Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic advanced high, interchanging with wingers and forwards for combination play.
– Kante operated as a shield in front of the defense, providing coverage and enabling others to attack with confidence.
Lampard’s willingness to utilize overlapping center-backs further expanded options, at times overwhelming opposition defensive lines.
Resolving Defensive Weaknesses
One of Lampard’s greatest achievements early in the 2020-21 campaign was addressing persistent defensive frailties:
– The acquisition of Edouard Mendy provided a calm and consistent goalkeeper, with four clean sheets and only one goal conceded in his first five Premier League matches.
– Thiago Silva’s organizational skills stabilized the backline, allowing Kurt Zouma to shift to right center-back.
– N’Golo Kante’s reinstatement as a defensive midfielder resulted in a significant jump in tackles (2.8 per game) and interceptions (3 per game), numbers rivaling the best in the Premier League.
With both full-backs showing improved defensive contributions and Mount offering energetic pressing from midfield, Chelsea’s collective defensive performance soared. These strategic changes significantly reduced their vulnerability to transitions and exposed flanks, transforming the Blues into one of the league’s most resilient outfits.
Concluding Insights: Chelsea’s Road Ahead
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea in 2020-21 demonstrated not just the impact of ambitious signings, but also a managerial acumen for tactical flexibility, squad harmonization, and solving systemic weaknesses. The blend of youth and experience, improved defense, and flourishing forward chemistry positioned the Blues as serious contenders. While the Premier League title may still prove elusive, the foundations for a sustained push were firmly established.
With dynamic attacking play, uncompromising defense, and a team spirit that allowed youth and new arrivals alike to flourish, Lampard’s Chelsea provided a blueprint for rapid squad transition and immediate results. Whether their momentum would continue depended on upcoming fixtures, but their early season transformation set an unequivocal marker for Chelsea’s direction under Lampard.
