N’Golo Kante is now fully fit and available for selection this weekend when Chelsea take on Man City at the Etihad and this is a big problem for Frank Lampard.
In the absence of N’Golo Kante, it was the pairing of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic who did a fantastic job in central midfield for the Blues but now there are fears that one of them could lose his place this weekend.
While some believe Jorginho should be rested in this match and Lampard should use the Frenchman in defensive midfield but now the manager has hinted all three could start when the Blues face Man City.
“I want it to be a positive issue. We have [Mateo] Kovacic as well, it is great for me. It is something we have done pretty well,” the manager said.
“We have fluidity in our midfield. I think we can use them all collectively.
“You have to give Jorginho the freedom to leave his position. He has a perception for the press.”
If all the three players are named in the first XI then it will be Mason Mount who would move into the final third and most probably play as a winger on Saturday.
And while this will add depth to the Blues midfield but the positional change of Mount will surely be bad news for Christian Pulisic.
The American has finally started finding his form at Chelsea but with Mount playing as one of the wingers and Willian playing on the other side, Pulisic might have to start the City game on the bench.
Also, pundit, Charlie Nicholas has explained to a certain extent why Lampard might be tempted to start both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante in central midfield and how the pairing could be used vs Guardiola’s men.
Nicholas said: “N’Golo Kante is back fit and in the side, while Willian is playing well. Marcos Alonso has been alright when he has played and the centre-backs have been great – it looks promising to Chelsea.
“Frank Lampard will come up with a puzzle for City, but his puzzle will focus on the fact that Pep Guardiola’s team are really struggling at the back and Chelsea have pace and technically-gifted players upfront.”
