Chelsea take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday evening in their penultimate game of the 2022/23 Premier League season.
The Blues' disastrous campaign is finally almost finished with their second successive trip to Manchester followed by their final game against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge at the weekend. Last time out, Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City in a performance that interim head coach Frank Lampard took some positives from.
It was far from a vintage Chelsea display but one that certainly trumps a lot of what we've seen this season from an underperforming Blues squad. With nothing to play for in the final two games, it's up to the players to put on something of a show for the supporters and equally, for a lot of them, try and prove to incoming head coach Mauricio Pochettino that they deserve a spot in the squad next season.
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At this stage of the season, with Lampard experimenting between different players in Chelsea's enormous squad, it's virtually impossible to guess what XI he will put out. However, football.london's Bobby Vincent and Scott Trotter have given it a good go. As always, let us know who you agree with – if any – in the comments section below...
Bobby Vincent
We saw Kepa Arrizabalaga return to the side against Man City after a one-game hiatus in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest. I fully expect to see the Spaniard keep his place in goal for Chelsea in what could be a busy match for the goalkeeper against a dangerous Man United attacking line.
Lampard went with a back three formation against City at the weekend which was hardly surprising given the champions' serious attacking threat. The interim Blues boss could do similar against their rivals United on Thursday.
With Benoît Badiashile missing until pre-season due to a hamstring strain, Lampard could bring Kalidou Koulibaly back into the side. The Senegal international hasn't played too much football recently because of injury but did come on in the second-half at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Thiago Silva and Wesley Fofana alongside him.
Cesar Azpilicueta didn't have his best game against City and he could be taken out of the XI for the trip to Old Trafford. Ruben Loftus-Cheek could deputise, with the central midfielder often filling in as a right wing-back this season. Lewis Hall will be looking to continue his strong recent form on the opposite flank.
Enzo Fernandez is a given, with the Chelsea midfielder starting every single game since he arrived for over £100million in the January transfer window. We could see Conor Gallagher next to him in a two-man central midfield, with Lampard perhaps looking to hurt United on the break with a front-three.
Noni Madueke has impressed in recent matches and could return to the side. As has Raheem Sterling, who will be hoping to get the nod ahead of the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix on the bench. Kai Havertz to lead the line in Manchester.
Bobby's XI: Kepa; Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly; Loftus-Cheek, Fernandez, Gallagher, Hall; Sterling, Madueke, Havertz.
Scott Trotter
Chelsea have two games remaining and nothing left to play for. Lampard may be tempted to start a team similar to the one that faced Manchester City when taking on their crosstown rivals on Thursday after a promising outing but with the clash with Manchester United the last with any meaning for the opposition, perhaps it is more opportune to hand chances to Blues who will be around next season.
There will be little room for manoeuvre across the backline with a back three of Fofana, Silva and Trevoh Chalobah perhaps probable in front of Kepa and Hall and Azpilicueta in place as wing-backs. Loftus-Cheek could perhaps take his captain's place on the right with the ability to aid midfield to support Fernandez and Gallagher.
While both have much to learn, Mudryk and Madueke could take to the wings and support Havertz, with David Datro Fofana perhaps worth of an opportunity from the bench. Carney Chukwuemeka may be best served by stepping up from his substitute appearance to provide support to the forward and from midfield however.
Scott's XI: Kepa; Fofana, Silva, Chalobah; Loftus-Cheek, Fernandez, Gallaher, Hall; Madueke, Havertz, Chukwuemeka.
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