8 hours ago, Deino said:

We can't play 4222 nowadays because a majority of the teams in PL and CL plays with 3 in the middle.

Unless you play a low block and long ball.

Multiple teams play the 4-4-2/4-2-2-2 just fine like RB Leipzig and PSG.

On 01/10/2020 at 04:38, MayosNoun! said:

I could not disagree more about Lampard’s game management. His changes during games are very odd and often dismantle any flow and momentum we have. 
 

That change against West Brom had the world absolutely baffled when Giroud went on for Thiago Silva. We were a goal behind and battering them for all angles.  Changing shape was mental, absolutely mental. We then lost all momentum and instead of continuing to dominate, we looked lost and fell apart and got a lucky break in injury time. 
 

For all Frank’s positives, his in game management and ability to organise a defence are extremely lacking. 

In all fairness he are down a few goals so makes sense to replace a defensive player with an attacking one and someone who can hold the ball and bring others into the attack. If Giroud too had converted some of the chances he missed it would have looked to have been a worthy change and we may even have won the game. 

                         Mendy

James----Zooma----Silva-----Chillwell

---------Jorgi ----------------Kante------------

Ziyech---------Havertz-----------Pulisic

--?----------------Werner?-----------------

If we review things after the first phase of the season and who may be a lock-in for the "First 11", I would go with the following:

                    Mendy

!!!!! - Silva - Zouma - Chilwell

          !!!!! - Kante - !!!!!

       !!!!!! - Werner - Pulisic

I think 7 places are absolute lock-ins, if those players are fit they automatically play in our strongest 11. I think The RB is not a problem area as dependent upon opposition either of James and Azpi can play, for the midfield I think Jorginho may have thrown a spanner in the works as he has played well so far this season. I think having Silva and Kai in the team has helped Jorginho as they have been able to give him options in transitioning the ball all over the pitch through their creative movement.

I think the RW position will be occupied by Ziyech if he can get fit and hit the ground running. This would leave the 2 midfield slots as the ones truly up for grabs as the competition is high in that area, in addition I think we are operating a very dynamic formation where we have Kai dropping deep and helping with the buildup and once in the final third he slots behind the striker and Jorginho and Kante go central to provide cover. That was my take after the Palace game but things may appear different against better opposition.