Chelsea have moved on from a coach who was selecting his first team in football against Liverpool, to one who has picked a Chelsea side in 84 competitive games before. Frank Lampard will do so once again against Wolves as he looks to help boost the Blues up the Premier League table before the end of the season.
Lampard has already hinted he will rely on what he already knows going into the match against Molineux which could see a number of changes from the players and formation that Graham Potter and Bruno Saltor have used in recent weeks. Certainly some players may feel more confident of their involvement while others may have a hint of doubt in their minds.
Kepa Arrizabalaga may be one such player given the form he displayed during Lampard's last stint in charge. Edouard Mendy was back in Chelsea's squad for the visit of Liverpool and was brought to the club by the caretaker boss in September 2020. The Spaniard's form should be enough for him to keep his place for the moment however.
READ MORE: What Frank Lampard did with Chelsea squad before Wolves as Blues ace makes Potter admission
Reece James and Ben Chilwell will feel assured of their places but may find themselves in a back four favoured by Lampard. With Thiago Silva still injured, the Blues boss is likely to have to rely on central defenders he has not coached previously. Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly would seem to be the obvious choices if Lampard wants to find some consistency but Benoit Badiashile could be in contention to partner the French defender.
Enzo Fernandez has been the easiest pick in Chelsea's team in recent months and could once again sit in a midfield with Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante, both of whom Lampard knows well. The latter was replaced after 69 minutes against Liverpool and given his performance should start unless he needs managing ahead of Real Madrid.
The frontline could see the most changes given the volume of players Lampard has to choose from. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could return to the squad as the new boss hopes to find a quick solution to Chelsea's goalscoring issues but given his lack of involvement, match fitness may require someone else to lead the line.
Mason Mount, who has sat on the bench for Chelsea's last two matches, will feel confident of finding a place in the side once again, while Christian Pulisic enjoyed his most prolific period in west London under Lampard meaning both players could come into the team. Of course, that would mean dropping either Joao Felix or Kai Havertz for the first game back, and Lampard may simply go with what he knows best given limited time on the training pitch.
Predicted Chelsea XI: James, Fofana, Koulibaly, Chilwell; Fernandez, Kovacic, Kante; Mount, Havertz, Pulisic.
READ NEXT:
Chelsea winners and losers as Frank Lampard's Wolves hint spells trouble for Marc Cucurella
Behind the scenes at Frank Lampard's first press conference following stunning Chelsea return
What Frank Lampard learned at Everton and the advice he received to be better at Chelsea
Frank Lampard has Chelsea quality Graham Potter couldn't rely on as owners face scrutiny
Frank Lampard gives Raheem Sterling Chelsea backing amid previous comments on coaching career
