Chelsea’s ideal forward line for the beginning of the Frank Lampard era

Frank Lampard’s Chelsea is well into the vortex of its pre-season schedule, with the management dishing out various permutations, combinations and formations in terms of the team structure.

In two pre-season friendlies thus far, the former Chelsea midfielder has plotted two different formations. Both these setups, being 4-2-3-1 and the traditional 4-1-2-1-2, require diverse footballing styles and players with different skill sets.

If looked at the forwards in the Chelsea squad, it’s clear that the club is enduring a major transition at present. Willian and Pedro aren’t the most prolific wingers around, while the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and new boy Christian Pulisic haven’t yet experienced the taxing nature of the Premier League.

Once consisting of a beast-like forward in Diego Costa, the Blues are now experimenting on their strike force as well. Since the departure of the Spaniard who was known for accumulating ‘dirty’ goals, no one has carried the goal-scoring burden on their shoulders.

Lampard is expected to play two wingers and a number 9, ahead of three midfielders. Whether he goes with experience or plays wild cards is yet to be seen, but here, we aim at decoding what could be Chelsea’s best attacking trio.

Here are the three players who Frank Lampard must field most regularly in his first season in charge.

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LW – Callum Hudson-Odoi

He might be on his road to recovery post a baleful Achilles rupture, but Callum Hudson-Odoi must be the first name on this list.

The teenager is explosive and direct with the ball, perhaps more fearless in the advanced thirds of the pitch than anyone else. Hudson-Odoi tore the ranks at Chelsea to find a spot in the first team, before a host of first-rate displays for the first team enticed Maurizio Sarri to award him more regular starts.

He set the field ablaze with his speed, dribbling prowess and knack of being at the periphery of the goals scored by the team. Sometimes, against the bigger and tougher oppositions, a team requires glimpses of footballing brilliance from the forwards.

When there’s little or no penetration up front, Chelsea need players such as Callum Hudson-Odoi to spark moments of magic from nowhere.

RW - Christian Pulisic

Pulisic is included in the 25-man squad for the friendlies in Japan

Three goals in the Premier League for Willian, eight for Pedro. That's simply not good enough, considering the level at which the football at Chelsea is played. Due to this very reason, the extra burden on Eden Hazard often allowed oppositions to place an extra man behind him.

It's time the ageing Willian and Pedro are used as substitutes who can bring a difference with their quality. This opens the door for new boy Christian Pulisic, who is highly rated among modern football fans for his burgeoning ability to flip-flap past opponents, start counter-attacks and most importantly, stretch the other side's back line.

That would not only help Chelsea attack through a different dimension, but also allow the likes of attacking midfielders such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount to get into the box without much traffic.

The inclusion of Pulisic would transform Chelsea's wings to a highly energetic, electrifying and exciting commodity.

What are his other attributes? The player himself explained,

"I think I have a lot of speed and creativity that I can bring to the game; quickness and different attacking abilities that can really help the team. I think I have some tools that can really do well in this league. I just can't wait."

ST - Olivier Giroud

Chelsea v Southampton - The Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final

There are Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi at Lampard’s disposal, but the link-up play of Olivier Giroud along with his sharpshooting, heading accuracy and passing inside the 18-yard box makes it hard for us to look beyond, as far as Chelsea’s spearhead is concerned.

The former Arsenal man works his socks off, offers variety in attack and most importantly, plays to his strengths. He doesn’t overrun with the ball, or fancy a strike from 35 yards out.

Abraham is an interesting choice after his heroics in the Championship last season, but the youngster needs time and improvement in the physical aspect of his game. More so, his torrid time at Swansea City means the management must wait and gradually draft the youngster into the playing XI, without infusing extra pressure.

Batshuayi’s credentials are noteworthy as well, but Giroud is a safer passer of the ball; someone who can wreak havoc and unsettle the opposition defense with his hold-up play.

Most significantly, with the wingers of the side being starlets, it’s quintessential to allow a senior man to lead the line.