MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 18:25:43| >> :120:8724:8724:

How Chelsea could line up next season with Dayot Upamecano

Sports Mole looks at how Chelsea could line up next season should they complete a deal for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano.

Chelsea's 2-1 win over dethroned champions Manchester City ensures that they are now well on course to securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.

The Blues also have an FA Cup quarter-final with Leicester City to look forward and are still in the Champions League, albeit with a 3-0 deficit to make up on Bayern Munich in their last-16 second leg.

However, Frank Lampard has already started looking ahead to 2020-21 by snapping up Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner from Ajax and RB Leipzig respectively.

According to certain reports, Dayot Upamecano could be the next big-name arrival at Stamford Bridge as Lampard chases after a new centre-back to partner Antonio Rudiger - a potentially massive coup for the West London outfit.

Amid the ongoing speculation, Sports Mole looks at how Chelsea could line up with Upamecano in their ranks.


Possible CHEXI with UPAM

Given he already has Kurt Zouma, Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Rudiger in his ranks, Lampard may well opt to use a five-man defence should Upamecano arrive.

However, that would mean leaving out one of his many talented attacking or midfield options, so a back four - with two centre-backs - appears to make more sense.

Rudiger has impressed during his time at the club and is the most likely option to partner Upamecano, who can play either on the right or the left of the pivot.

Azpilicueta has been an impressive servant for the Blues and showed against Aston Villa last week that he still has plenty left to offer, but Reece James is nailed on to be Chelsea's go-to right-back for years to come.

On the opposite flank, Marcos Alonso is in possession of the left-back berth but is another that Lampard is reportedly looking to replace this summer.

Further forward, the Blues' attack will have a fresh look to it following the expected departures of Willian and Pedro.

New arrivals Werner and Ziyech will add an extra dimension, while Christian Pulisic has stepped up a level since the Premier League returned.

The only other decision for Lampard to make is whether to go with three in midfield of two, though the former would certainly give a better balance to the lineup.

ID:404014: cacheID:404014:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5106:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
RB Leipzig defencer Dayot Upamecano pictured in October 2019
Read Next:
Shirt numbers available to Upamecano at Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!