Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes that Frank Lampard should leave summer signing Kai Havertz out of his side to face Tottenham in Sunday's huge Premier League encounter.
Spurs travel to Stamford Bridge having not lost since the opening day of the season, while the Blues are unbeaten in their last seven top flight matches.
Havertz, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for a club-record £72 million fee over the summer, returned to Chelsea 's matchday squad for the win against Rennes in midweek after recovering from coronavirus.
However, Merson believes that despite being given the all-clear, the 21-year-old should start Sunday's game from the bench as the Blues have been just fine without him.
"Chelsea have found the right blend up front without Kai Havertz in the team and he might find himself on the fringes now," Merson told the Daily Star .
"It’s so competitive there now that if you find yourself out of the team it could be hard to get back in.
"Havertz has missed a few games because he tested positive for coronavirus, and Chelsea have won them all.
"They’ve had Tammy Abraham up front and Timo Werner playing wider, and it has suited them. It looks like their best system.
"Havertz wasn’t pulling up any trees before he missed those games. He’s a young lad who needs time to settle. I wouldn’t throw him back in against Tottenham because they look better without him right now."
Chelsea won their fixtures without Havertz by an aggregate scoreline of 9-1, with their only goal conceded coming during the 4-1 victory against Sheffield United earlier this month.
Sunday's opponents Spurs come into the match off the back of an impressive victory over Manchester City, but Merson can see the Blues providing Jose Mourinho 's men with a tougher test this time around.
"Spurs did exactly what I thought against Manchester City and proved they are going to be contenders," he continued. "But I actually think Chelsea will test them more.
"City were trying to score the perfect goal. Chelsea will be more direct and have more pace. I don’t think Spurs can have 35 per cent possession against them and win."
