Premier League restart preview: Key returning stars to help Chelsea to Champions League

Chelsea's debut campaign with Frank Lamprd at the Stamford Bridge helm hasn't been perfect, but he has perhaps performed better than many may have expected on the back of his appointment. Laboured with a transfer ban, Lampard utilised the young English talent pool at his disposal, using familar faces Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori, as well as Tammy Abraham and Reece James, to good effect and it means the west London side sit fourth ahead of the season's restart next week. 

A Champions League finish would be a notable achievement for Chelsea under Lampard as the Blues boss rebuilds the capital outfit ahead of a possible title push next season. 

Pre-Lockdown Form 

Chelsea's form this calendar year doesn't exactly instil confidence. Three wins from 10 league matches in 2020 is hardly inspiring, but one of those did come against top-four rivals Tottenham. The lack of goals from the frontmen has proven problematic. Marcos Alonso, a player Chelsea are likely to sell this summer, is their top scorer in 2020, with three league goals to his name, and the dip of form of Tammy Abraham saw Lampard bring Olivier Giroud back into the fold.

The move proved a masterstroke, with Giroud netting in wins over Tottenham and Everton, yet Chelsea need to rediscover the form that saw them win six successive Premier League matches from September to November. A four-match winless run, and two wins from the last eight, on the road is a record that needs to be improved upon, particularly with two London derbies and trips to Sheffield United and Liverpool to navigate between the campaign comes to a head. 

A trip to relegation threatened Aston Villa next week affords them the opportunity to improve their sub-par away form when they league resumes. 

Squad Updates 

Lampard had a number of injury concerns to contend with ahead of their last Premier League outing, a 4-0 win over Everton, but he welcomes back a handful of key players for the looming trip to Villa Park. N'Golo Kante is back in training after limping off after just 12 minutes against Manchester United in February, while Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic are both set to be available for the Blues in Birmingham. 

Jorginho sees out the second of a two-match ban next week, yet Billy Gilmour's showing agianst the Toffees last time out suggests the Italian's absence won't be too keenly felt by Lampard. Ruben Loftus-Cheek's availability swells their midfield ranks and the only immediate fitness concerns for the Chelsea boss comes in the form of Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi. 

Run-In Difficulty 

With an average WhoScored rating of 6.78 of their remaining fixtures, Chelsea have one of the more difficult run-ins, and the hardest of those vying for a Champions League finish. Currently fourth, the Blues are still to face Manchester City, Sheffield United, Liverpool and Wolves, while a trip to West Ham to kick off July is often a banana skin fixture having won just one of their last visits to east London. 

The crunch clash comes later this month where Chelsea host Manchester City. The Blues' home record against the Premier League's Big Six isn't inspiring having won just one of their four home league meetings with their top-flight counterparts. Win that and it'll boost their chances of finishing in the Champions League places, which may yet drop down to fifth depending on City's appeal for their European ban.

Current League Position: 4th (3 points clear of 5th)