Frank Lampard's second calling as Chelsea manager starts at the place of one of his biggest moments as manager of the club first time round. It's not yet time for the Stamford Bridge reunion with, the Blues travelling to Molineux to face Wolves.
It was September 2019, incidentally also the last time Chelsea managed to win away at Wolves too, that Lampard made his point. He had started the season in mixed fashion, losing once, drawing twice and winning once.
Chelsea were entertaining, gung-ho football with freedom and spark. They couldn't keep the ball out of the net but there was promise. This was a young team with energy and undeniable talent. When they went to Molineux things changed.
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Chelsea, with four academy graduates starting the game, brushed their opponents aside with a 5-2 win. All of the goals came from players that has come through Cobham including the unexpected world class strike from Fikayo Tomori.
They would go on to win six of their next seven in a run that took them into the top four, a place they would hold for the rest of the season alongside FA Cup progression too. It was a day that summed up what Lampard's Chelsea were all about.
Here's where the squad is now.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Still at Chelsea. His form late into the season saw Lampard lose the trust of his keeper and thus he was pushed out of the side. Despite coming close to leaving on loan, the 28-year-old is in contention to play in the Midlands once again.
Antonio Rudiger
Before his true rise to popularity, this was a different Rudiger. Lampard never got on as well with the senior players Thomas Tuchel would have success with. Rudiger went on to be one of the best centre-backs in the world post-Lampard.
He's at Real Madrid and waiting for a reunion with his former team next week.
Andreas Christensen
The Dane is in a similar boat to Rudiger. He hadn't hit his best form yet and was seen as unreliable. Lampard has his gripes and never truly settled with the academy player. Under Tuchel he thrived but left for Barcelona on a free over the summer.
Fikayo Tomori
Perhaps the most unlikely emergence from the group of academy players to come through in 2019, Tomori formed a great partnership with Kurt Zouma in defence. That was split up for the second half of the season though and he never truly gained his place again.
In a parralel to Trevoh Chalobah, Tomori rarely did much wrong but was phased out by both Lampard and Tuchel before being sold to AC Milan in 2021.
Cesar Azpilicueta
The club captain played a key role on the right before Reece James' full development kicked in. He is, as he seems destined to forever be, still at the club. Injuries and consistent knocks make him a doubt to return for this game.
Jorginho
The Italian was yet another polarising player under Lampard. He wasn't as key as other managers had made him but in the early days he did play an important role.
The midfielder moved on for a small fee to Arsenal in January 2023 with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, a deal that made sense for all parties.
Mateo Kovacic
Chelsea's skipper for recent games, the Croatian is one of the last standing players from this group. He is set to play again under Lampard at Molineux due to his importance in the centre of the park.
Marcos Alonso
Alonso was typically himself under Lampard with flashes of brilliance and moments of frustration. He torched his relationship with the club legend in 2020 when leaving a game early to watch on the club coach.
He had a mini-revival under Tuchel but was sold over the summer to Barcelona.
Mason Mount
Labelled as Lampard's son for his consistent role under the Blues' all-time top scorer, Mount was one of the coach's best players this season and epitomised his work. Having been together at Derby there was a great understanding.
With his contract situation up in the air there is hope that Lampard can not only get him back into form but also resolve the issues. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him start.
Willian
The Brazilian was still kicking about here and made himself an important member of the squad under Lampard before he left for free in 2020. After a brief spell at Arsenal it appeared his top level career had ended.
He returned to Corinthians in Brazil before Fulham took a risk on him this season and it has paid off. The 34-year-old scored against his former team at Craven Cottage earlier this season.
Tammy Abraham
Maybe the player Chelsea miss most from this squad. Abraham scored 15 goals without penalties in his first full season at the club. He found it harder to get minutes the year after once Timo Werner and Kai Havertz joined.
Tuchel phased him out and then sold him to Roma in 2021. Chelsea could really do with a player of his goalscoring ability right now.
Notable others
Ross Barkley was in the squad and used as a substitute. Olivier Giroud, another player who they may wish they still had, was also on the bench. Christian Pulisic was an unused sub.
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