Chelsea lost 2-0 to Real Madrid on Tuesday, in a game where it was vital they scored twice.
Frank Lampard started the game without a striker – but we don’t think he would change a thing if he had the chance. His plan – to play 4 central midifelders at once and try to score by harrying Madrid and forcing mistakes at the back – worked well. The finishing touch wasn’t there, but it had the opposition on the back foot – even Luka Modric misplaced passes early on.
Plus, as always with these decisions, one has to consider the alternative. That would likely have involved a front 3 of Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix or Christian Pulisic behind Kai Havertz.
Every possible combination of those attackers has been tried this season, and in recent weeks, and they’ve produced almost nothing in terms of chances, let alone goals.
Putting more attacking players on the pitch does not necessarily lead to more chances, or to more goals.
