You’ve heard it said a thousand times: consistency is key in soccer.
However, it is not a message that has found its way to Frank Lampard. The Chelsea boss has made a habit of cutting and changing his defence, using 20 different combinations in just 41 Premier League games.
Let’s see how each one performs.
Chelsea lost 4-0 to United / Julian Finney / Getty Images
Games Played: 3
Approved Objectives: 7
The quartet gave Lampard a difficult debut as he scored four goals against Manchester United in his first game in charge.
They also played the next two games – a 1-1 draw with Leicester and a 3-2 win against Norwich – but that’s when the rotation started to get a little wild.
Zuma achieves his goal / Visionhaus/Getty Images
Games Played: 3
Approved Objectives: 5
A 2-2 draw with Sheffield United, which included an own goal from Kurt Zouma, was not the best way for the group to start life together, and the Frenchman was dropped for the next game.
The group’s next spell together was a bit more positive as they secured a 2-1 win over Watford. This time there are no goals.
Unfortunately, the positivity didn’t last as they were soon beaten 2-1 by Manchester City, and that was that.
Tomori scores the screamer/Clive Mason/Getty Images.
Games Played: 1
Approved Objectives: 2
Lampard’s first shift in the back three saw Fukui Tomori, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger play together, and Tomori scored a superb long-range goal to help his side to a 5-2 victory over Wolves.
Rüdiger soon disappeared with an injury.
Chelsea fall from Liverpool/Vision Haas/Getty Images.
Games Played: 1
Approved Objectives: 2
The group’s only outing came against Liverpool, but they were powerless to prevent Jurgen Klopp’s side from winning 2-1.
Alonso’s first start against Brighton / Julian Finney / Getty Images
Games Played: 1
Approved Objectives: 0
Marcos Alonso was introduced to the starting line-up for the first time in a comfortable 2-0 win against Brighton, but despite the good results, the group has not lined up together since.
Zouma is caught out on Danny Ings’ goal / Julian Finney / Getty Images.
Games Played: 3
Approved Objectives: 3
The group impressed in their first outing, a 4–1 win against Southampton, and were rewarded by allowing them to keep their place for the next game, with Chelsea beating Newcastle 1–0. Won the victory.
They again kept their place for the next game, but Lampard was visibly unimpressed with the 4–2 win over Burnley and never returned to the quartet.
James makes his debut / Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
Games Played: 2
Approved Objectives: 1
James’ first Premier League start was one to remember as he helped Chelsea to a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
However, that hope was soon dashed after the group lost 1-0 to West Ham.
Stats show this is Lampard’s preferred line-up / Let’s not – Dean House/Getty Images
Games Played: 5
Approved Objectives: 9
If statistics are to be believed, this is actually Lampard’s preferred backline. No group has played more together.
During his time with them, we recorded a 2-1 win over Aston Villa, a 3-1 defeat against Everton, a 3-0 win against Watford, a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace and a 3-0 Has seen a surprising defeat. Sheffield United.
Some real ups and downs from this group.
Emerson struggles on his comeback / Julian Finney / Getty Images
Games Played: 1
Approved Objectives: 1
Emerson’s return to the team was not a happy one as Chelsea were beaten 1–0 by Bournemouth.
Although, in his defense, Chelsea always seems to get thumped by the cherries. This is one of the unwritten rules of football.
Chelsea’s stunning win against Tottenham / Michael Regan / Getty Images
Games Played: 3
Approved Objectives: 3
This trio looked like it might be a go for Lampard. Chelsea won 2-0 against Tottenham when they joined forces for the first time, perhaps the boss’ most memorable game to date.
However, as always, they couldn’t keep it up. A 2–0 defeat to Southampton followed, and a 2–1 win over Arsenal was hardly impressive.
Time to go back to four.
Brighton take a point from Chelsea / Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
Games Played: 1
Approved Objectives: 1
César Azpilicueta was moved to left-back for January’s meeting with Brighton, and he even managed to get on the scoresheet!
However, Chelsea were rewarded with a late equalizer as Alireza Jahanbakhsh fired home a superb acrobatic effort, and that was all he wrote.
Lampard often opts for this group/Michael Regan/Getty Images.
Games Played: 4
Approved Objectives: 5
Another favorite of Lampard’s, the group have played no less than four games together, despite the fact that they have only won one game.
A stunning 3-0 win against Burnley brought things underground, but a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle a week later brought things back down to earth.
After a week off, the group reunited and led Chelsea to a 2-2 draw against Leicester, but a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in February was their last appearance together.
Chelsea struggle against Arsenal / Vision Haas / Getty Images
Games Played: 1
Approved Objectives: 2
The weekend that the aforementioned group came in came when Lampard made a change for the visit of Arsenal, but his change didn’t really pay off.
Despite an early red card for David Luiz, the ten-man Gunners stormed back and managed to draw 2-2, with Chelsea unable to capitalize on the numbers.
Chelsea secure another win against Spurs/Tom Jenkins/Getty Images
Games Played: 1
Approved Objectives: 1
Another back three against the Spurs, another win.
This time, the Blues won 2–1, with Spurs’ strike late on thanks to a Rüdiger own goal.
Alonso nets an equalizer / Mark Atkins / Getty Images
Games Played: 1
Approved Objectives: 2
Apparently unfazed by Rudiger’s mistake, Lampard dropped him to the bench and replaced him with Tomori against Bournemouth.
Unfortunately, it didn’t really work. Chelsea were 2-1 down on the hour mark and needed Tomori off to get back into the game.
Wing-back Marcos Alonso (who is far better than his evil twin, left-back Marcos Alonso) managed a late equalizer to salvage a point for the Blues.
The group managed 2 Clean Sheets/Robin Jones/Getty Images.
Games Played: 2
Approved Objectives: 0
Tomori lost his place in the team the following week, and Lampard’s decision proved vindicated as Chelsea cruised to a 4-0 victory over Everton.
The group didn’t join forces for another seven games, but when they did, the result was an emphatic 1-0 win over Norwich.
Two games, two clean sheets. Statistically, Chelsea have the best of them under Lampard.
The loss to West Ham was one of Chelsea’s worst / Michael Regan / Getty Images
Games Played: 3
Approved Objectives: 5
If you want to find a group that exemplifies Chelsea’s defensive woes, this is the perfect example.
Their first game was a nerve-wracking 2-1 win against Aston Villa, which was soon followed by a stunning 2-1 win against Manchester City.
Just as things were looking good, Chelsea lost 3-2 to West Ham. Good times never last long.
Liverpool beat that trio / Poll/Getty Images by 5.
Games Played: 2
Approved Objectives: 5
Lampard once again brought out a back three to try and match champions Liverpool, and it just didn’t work. A 5-3 loss was certainly good fun.
Somehow, they all kept their places for the crucial end-of-season meeting with Wolves, but they redeemed themselves as Chelsea won 2-0 to move into the top four.
Chelsea open season with win / Poll / Getty Images
Games Played: 2
Approved Objectives: 3
Lampard turned to the group for the start of the 2020/21 season, and although things looked a bit more organized, the results were the same.
A nervy 3-1 win over Brighton was followed by a timid 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, but change was on the horizon. Summer signing Thiago Silva was ready to play.
Silva’s debut didn’t go to plan / Malcolm Cousins/Getty Images
Games Played: 1
Approved Objectives: 3
It wasn’t the most convincing league debut for Silva, who made a costly mistake and saw his new side concede three goals inside half an hour against West Brom.
Christensen also picked up a red card and will therefore be unavailable for the Blues’ next game.
Could we have a lineup of 21 on our hands?
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