With just a month until Everton open their Premier League campaign against Chelsea at Goodison Park, Frank Lampard might well be already looking ahead to how he might set up his team for that game.
He and Kevin Thelwell have been hard at work in recent weeks to devise an effective plan for the profile of the side and how they want to progress. Of course, the transfer window will play a major part in that - and fans have already seen the effects of that with early dealings in this market.
A number of players left the club upon the expiry of their contracts, certainly meaning that Everton should be saving a fair amount of money on the wage bill as things stand. Richarlison also confirmed his departure to join Tottenham Hotspur which will no doubt be a blow, but now work begins on how the Blues should replace him in the side.
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As things stand right now, you're expecting there to be a fair amount of business still taking place before the side take to the field against a no doubt new-look Chelsea. The line-ups on either side will almost certainly be very different to those who took to the field for Everton's 1-0 victory at Goodison Park at the beginning of May.
But what is intriguing to think about in the context of the Blues and their potential new arrivals is how that might affect the formation. Lampard has spoken about wanting to create an identity at Goodison, but what could that potentially look like when the first match of the 2022/23 campaign comes around?
We've selected two different formations that could be under consideration given the players being linked with moves to Goodison as things stand and what Lampard has used at his time at the club in the past. It's likely that the side will be somewhat fluid, changing shape depending on the opponent in some cases, so both systems could well see some minutes next term.
4-3-3
Starting off is a 4-3-3, a system that a lot of fans have long been calling for Everton to utilise. The Blues have found themselves outnumbered in midfield on occasion in the past and putting an extra body in there should combat it.
In this case you'd imagine the signing of a defensive midfielder would be key for the club in the current window, as there isn't a natural player in that position for the club right now. The likes of Allan, Tom Davies and Jean-Philippe Gbamin can fill that position - but are either better used elsewhere or have hugely uncertain futures this summer of their own.
Billy Gilmour has been tentatively linked by some reports as Lampard could utilise his contacts at Chelsea to perhaps bring him to the club - although if it's on loan then he wouldn't be available for this first match of the term of course and Allan may have to fill that role. Meanwhile, Everton have also been linked with a potential switch for Manchester City star Oleksandr Zinchenko, who could further improve the midfield in this formation if he were used in a box-to-box role he has found such success in when called up to the Ukraine international squad.
That could allow Dele to take up a more attacking role in that central trio, perhaps even becoming a second striker to Dominic Calvert-Lewin in some periods of the match. Lampard put a lot of faith in the January deadline day signing shortly after being confirmed as Blues boss, and this system could be a way to open up his best.
Emmanuel Dennis has been consistently linked throughout the summer with the forward expected to leave Watford following their relegation. With Richarlison now a Spurs player, the Hornets star could replace his influence out wide to make a strong front three with Calvert-Lewin and Anthony Gordon.
3-4-3
A three-man defence is something that Lampard has certainly not been averse to during his time on Merseyside so far. A few managers in the recent past at Goodison Park over the years have tried and failed to implement similar strategies, but the current incumbent seemed to find a stronger solution.
With different players fitting new profiles across the pitch, the boss could well further improve that heading into next term. If there is a desire to perhaps be fluid in multiple systems, then we could see that in effect with the same signings being used.
James Tarkowski is someone who instantly improves the defence whether that's in a more traditional back for or as one of three central defenders. Burnley utilised that five-man defence towards the back end of last season for example, even if it wasn't good enough to keep them in the division in the end.
But the new arrival is strong in the air, reads the game well and has underrated qualities with the ball at his feet in terms of passing and carrying the ball out from the back. He's certainly a smart signing that could be very useful alongside Ben Godfrey in this kind of system.
As a third centre-back there are of course a lot of options. Yerry Mina is still a fantastic player, but can you rely on his fitness? Seamus Coleman looked good in this position last season and brings strong leadership qualities, while Mason Holgate has clearly been a favourite of Lampard's.
In front of them ZInchenko and Gilmour could be paired together in a midfield two that instantly brings more legs to the centre of the pitch, is strong in possession and should hopefully provide good cover to the defence. Nathan Patterson and Vitalii Mykolenko as wing-backs should have opportunities to get forward and have the legs to come back to their duties at the other end of the pitch too.
The front three in this instance stays the same. But, all of this depends on the transfer window, and there will undoubtedly be a fair few twists and turns in the road before the whistle sounds against Chelsea next month.
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