Frank Lampard has named his first competitive starting eleven since becoming Chelsea manager, and we’ve picked out three talking points from the team he’s put out at Old Trafford.
1.) No Christian Pulisic
Perhaps the most surprising, considering just how effective Pulisic has been during pre-season. Lampard has opted against fielding the USA international against Manchester United today.
It’s not as though Pulisic’s fitness levels are lacking, either. He featured in the Gold Cup with his country and soon reported for pre-season training with his new club.
His omission today is a little puzzling, don’t you think?
2.) Tammy over Michy
We had expected this one, with Abraham being given more minutes than Batshuayi throughout pre-season, but today’s starting eleven essentially serves as confirmation of Lampard’s preferred striker.
Abraham will likely be leading the line for us going forward, with Olivier Giroud and Batshuayi battling it out for the other opportunities. Michy doesn’t even make the match day squad this afternoon.
3.) Youngster talk had substance
Lampard has suggested previously that our younger players will be given chances to impress under his management, but today he has backed up those claims with the team he’s put out.
We have a Christensen and Zouma centre-back pairing, with Mount and Abraham starting in midfield and attack respectively. There’s exciting times on the horizon for our best young talent.
