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Chelsea team news: Expected 4-3-3 line-up for Burnley as Lampard faces Ziyech decision
Chelsea will look to build on their 4-0 midweek win over Krasnodar, as they head to Turf Moor to face Sean Dyche's struggling Burnley side
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Chelsea head to Turf Moor to face Burnley in what will be their third away game in just over a week. The draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, was followed up by an impressive Champions League win over Krasondar in Russia.
Frank Lampard opted to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation for the visit to the Red Devils, but did switch to a 4-3-3 for the comfortable win in midweek.
The Chelsea boss has hinted that he could stick with that formation as he looks to fit his rich array of attacking talents into his starting XI.
Asked about the new shape, Lampard said: “It is something that has served us well at times last year. It is nothing new, there were times when we played three at the back and 4-2-3-1 but of course when you bring new players into the club. It is great to have players with versatility in their game and I love that.”
With that in mind, Express Sport takes a look at how Chelsea will line up for the clash against the Clarets.
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Goalkeeper – Edouard Mendy
No debate about this one at all, the former Rennes keeper has seamlessly adapted to life in the Premier League, after replacing Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Mendy has kept three successive clean sheets, the first keeper to do so under Lampard’s stewardship.
The Senegal international is the undoubted first choice at Stamford Bridge, with the Chelsea boss finally being able to trust the man in between the sticks.
“His performance was very good, you rely on your goalkeeper for those moments it was a tight game,” Lampard said after the United stalemate. He’ll rely on him again vs Burnley.
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Defenders - Cesar Azpillicueta,Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma, Ben Chilwell
The only contentious decision is whether to bring Thiago Silva straight back into the line-up after being rested against Krasnodar.
Antonio Rudiger came in for the Brazilian and impressed, but Lampard has hinted that the former PSG man will be recalled this weekend.
After the win over Krasnodar, he said: “I spoke to Thiago, and if he'd had to play in that game of course he could have played it but we have to put it in the context of what we've got ahead of us.
“Thiago I'll manage slightly differently, just because of the circumstances.”
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Midfielders – N’Golo Kante, Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount
Chelsea laboured until the introductions of Kante and Mount in Russia. That allowed Lampard to switch to a 4-3-3 which seemed to get the most out of his attacking players.
Ziyech impressed on his full debut and if he is fit enough, he could be thrown in from the start against Sean Dyche’s strugglers.
Jorginho has been in good form, but could be sacrificed in order to get the Moroccan international into the line-up.
Mount continues to divide opinion, but when he plays well, the Blues seem to do similar.
Forwards – Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic
Pulisic’s return to full fitness has provided Lampard with a massive boost. The American looked close to his best, coming off the bench in midweek.
He scored a hat-trick at Turf Moor last week and while Lampard said that wouldn’t influence his thinking – he may be handed a start.
Elsewhere, Timo Werner looks like he is beginning to find some form, while it will be a toss-up between Kai Havertz and an ever-improving Callum Hudson-Odoi.
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