It will be very interesting to see what Chelsea FC manager Frank Lampard does with his first team selection tomorrow night. Will it be a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3 formation at Ajax in UEFA Champions League group stage competition? Who starts in the wings and midfield when the Blues take to the pitch in Amsterdam?
What about youngsters Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic, who made major contributions in the weekend win over Newcastle United- will those strong performances earn them a starting XI nod here?
Much has been made of the struggles, Pulisic, a major money investment in 2019, has had getting into the team regularly. In addition to the two aforementioned players, Lampard also has the experience of Willian and Pedro to call upon. It’s a very good problem to have as a manager.
And it makes the competition for playing time all the more fiercer among the players.
“Callum gave me that in his display from the start and Christian gave me that in his display coming on, and in terms of the wingers I have, Willian gave me that, Pedro gives me that so I have good selection problems when people come on and make a difference,” Lampard said on Tuesday.
“That is what we are all about.”
“The extra level that is the Champions League, the detail, the focus, concentration for 90 minutes, making the most of tiny moments, will be a test for all the young players, not just Callum.”
Chelsea FC vs Ajax FYIs
Kickoff: Oct. 23, 5:55pm Amsterdam Arena
Chelsea starting XI prediction: go to this link
Team news for both sides: go to this link
Form Guide: Chelsea WD Ajax WW
Referee: Ovidiu Hategan
Google’s result probability: 32% Chelsea FC win, 27% Draw, 41% Ajax victory
Prediction: Chelsea FC 2, Ajax 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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