Kante’s defensive midfield role
It’s been a big debate for the past couple of years over where N’Golo Kante should really be playing in the Chelsea starting XI.
With Antonio Conte he was in the midfield two, but when Maurizio Sarri came into the club he moved him over to the right of a midfield three.
It’s somewhere Frank Lampard also used the World Cup winner when he played three in midfield.
However, yesterday’s win over Aston Villa saw Kante in a more natural role, playing in the base of a midfield three.
It saw Kante at his best defensively, winning the ball on regular occasions and no players being able to get beyond him.
The one question mark has been whether or not he is good enough on the ball to play in a similar role to the way Jorginho has played it.
Let’s be honest, though, he is a world class player and can certainly play in that role.
It was encouraging to see him back in the position and also a massive boost that he was able to get through 90 minutes.
The question will be whether he stays in that position for the Manchester City game, with Jorginho’s suspension finished.
Mason Mount’s energy
Mason Mount looked like he had benefited massively from the three month break and out of all the players on the pitch he looked the least rusty.
The 21-year-old has been a key player for Lampard this season, playing almost all the matches in all competitions, and at times he had looked a little tired.
However, that was completely gone yesterday at Villa Park, highlighted by the fierce shot he fired in during the first half.
The England international was at the heart of a lot of Chelsea’s good attacking play, with high energy and decent ability on the ball.
Mount has often set the tempo for the Blues, and while others slipped back at times, Mount was constantly pushing the envelope.
The midfielder seems like he is going to play a huge role for the rest of the season and he will be a massive plus for Lampard.
Same old problems
We can’t pretend that it was the perfect performance from Chelsea, and the same old problems really did creep in.
The Blues completely dominated possession throughout the campaign with 74% of the ball through the 90 minutes.
Despite having 18 shots in the game, they didn’t trouble Orjan Nyland throughout the first half and much of the second.
Then it was another sucker-punch when the Blues defended dreadfully from a set-piece and no one reacted when Kepa Arrizabalaga made a decent save.
Kortney Hause then fired in and the Blues could well have dropped more points due to another lack of organisation and concentration.
Hause should have scored in the second half from another free-kick and Chelsea still have a massive problem there.
For all the talk of more attackers, the Blues really need to sort out the defensive side of their game otherwise their top four chances will slip away.
The ‘new normal’
As Frank Lampard said after the game, it was a step into the unknown for Chelsea on Sunday with a lack of ground and new protocol.
It was a surreal moment for all involved as the Blues trundled out to silence, not even the rounding boos you get from the home fans.
In fact, the only bit of noise came from the directors box where chairman Bruce Buck and Petr Cech were in attendance, watching the match.
They gave the Blues players a hearty clap as they came on to the field, something that some of the players found rather amusing.
During the game, of course, the lack of noise from the stands was palpable, which is something which probably helped Chelsea.
While the home crowd would certainly have urged on their defenders, the Blues were able to step up the pressure.
The new normal is bizarre, but it is a means to an end and if we can get through the 2019/20 campaign then everyone can look to move on.
Is Olivier Giroud the main number nine?
Tammy Abraham has had an excellent first season as Chelsea's number nine, scoring 13 Premier League goals so far in the 2019/20 campaign.
However, after his injury before the campaign was suspended, Olivier Giroud stepped into the fold and then started the game against Villa.
The Frenchman struggled in the first half and couldn't really get into the game, but in the second he showed his quality with a good first touch and a neat finish.
So the question is now whether Giroud remains the main number nine for the rest of the campaign, or Lampard mixes it back up for City?
Abraham has certainly shown his qualities this season, but the experience of Giroud might be a perfect way for Lampard lead the line.
