Frank Lampard’s selection of a midfield three in N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Ross Barkley provided Chelsea with added athleticism in the middle of the park to deal with the high volume of attackers in Manchester City’s starting XI.
Without the injured Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus on the bench, Pep Guardiola’s side included Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez in attack.
Such intricate playmaking skills provided Chelsea’s midfield with the task of preventing them from dominating possession where possible. The fluidity of City’s attacking options provided the Blues with some early issues in figuring out the best way to stop Guardiola’s players from dictating the play.
However, much of the first half saw Lampard’s side grow into the game with impressive ball progression to create some chances in key areas.
For all of City’s threat in attack, they looked vulnerable out of possession and Chelsea’s dynamic midfield did well to hold firm from a defensive point of view and also capitalise on weaknesses in the City defence.
Barkley’s inclusion may have been the most surprising of the three to start in midfield given Mateo Kovacic’s impressive performances this season but the England international performed well throughout the first 45 minutes.
As a player who is perhaps better known for his playmaking abilities in advanced positions, Barkley showed good tactical intelligence to remain disciplined out of possession and protect the back four.
The Chelsea midfielder was provided with a half-chance on his weaker left foot in the 27th minute and, while the chance didn’t materialise into troubling Ederson, it showed how Barkley has the athleticism to contribute both defensively and in the final third.
City may have had more possession in the first half, but Chelsea’s transition between a solid defensive shape and into a threatening attack shows how Lampard has constructed an effective tactical system.
The second half was a significantly different story with the Blues struggling to deal with City’s added intensity and tempo on the ball. Barkley in particular struggled to get to grips with De Bruyne’s creativity.
His substitution for Kovacic halfway through the second half wasn’t a surprising switch from Lampard but Barkley’s performance showed positive signs of him developing into a reliable midfield option.
The type of dynamism that Barkley adds in midfield is something that matches Lampard’s style of play very well alongside Kante. And if he can continue to build on the first-half performance he registered against City, he will stake a claim for becoming a more regular fixture in the Chelsea side.
