Chelsea FC are 2020 summer transfer window champions, but you don’t get any silverware for that! All you get is high expectations for trophies, and that’s exactly what the Blues have right now.
“We want to do well and we know there’s a lot of work to be done to achieve our goals, but unless you give it absolutely everything then that’s not going to happen,” said Chelsea manager Frank Lampard.
“I’ve completely engulfed myself in this job and I want to bring success to this club. Coming back to Chelsea and receiving that reception that I did from the fans, you want to bring the supporters that success because they deserve it. So that’s what we are all working towards now.”
Southampton FC at Chelsea FC FYIs
Kickoff: Sat October 17, 3pm BST, Stamford Bridge, London
TV: NBCSN (US) BT Sport Box Office, a pay-per-view service (UK)
Chelsea team news: go to this link
Betting Odds: Chelsea win 8/15 Draw 15/4 Southampton win 11/2
Generally speaking, in broad based terms, it’s Roman Abramovich’s job to bankroll the roster, Marina Granovskaia’s duty is to get the players signed and Lampard’s responsibility is to make the players perform their best and win. The Blues are off to only a pedestrian start on this young season, but they did show a lot of promise in thrashing Crystal Palace 4-0 last time out.
Up next is a home clash against Southampton, where Saints should see summer signing and Ghanian defender Mohamed Salisu make his debut with the club. However, midfielder Stuart Armstrong is out after testing positive for COVID-19. For Chelsea, left back Ben Chilwell (foot) and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (thigh) are strong doubts while midfielder Billy Gilmour remains a long term injury absentee. Hakim Ziyech should make his Chelsea debut here, having played over a half hour minutes for Morocco during the internationals.
It is very likely he won’t start here, he should feature. Christian Pulisic, who has high ambitions for his club this season, only saw a few minutes of playing time in his season debut against Palace, the very last match before the break. Expect the American to have a bigger role here, but probably not in the first team.
While Kepa Arrizabalaga maintains he’ll try and turn his Stamford Bridge career around, we think he’ll still miss out here and Lampard will select Willy Caballero instead.
Chelsea Starting XI prediction vs Southampton FC
Caballero; James, Zouma, Rudiger, Chilwell; Jorginho, Kante; Pulisic, Havertz, Werner; Abraham
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank, 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,” has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and SB Nation. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.