You’re right: playing Sturridge and Mata out wide necessitates a deeper, more disciplined midfield. Lampard is obviously much better playing in the hole, and has never looked particularly outstanding in a central midfield three. Given Chelsea’s personnel, however, the 4-3-3 is clearly the best fit for them. You either play that system with three deeper midfielders, or you crowbar Lampard in behind the strikers to the detriment of other players.

Keep Sturridge, Mata and a centre-forward up front with Lampard in the hole and the defence are even more exposed. A deeper role completely neutralises the strengths of Ramires, Meireles & co., who are too talented offensively to be given primarily defensive roles.

Switch to two up front with Lampard in-behind and you end-up dropping one of Sturridge & Mata or moving them deeper, which is wasteful given how far forward they are in advanced positions.

Lampard, unfortunately, gives AVB some serious tactical issues at the moment. I am as big a Lampard fan as you’ll find outside the Chelsea fanbase, but I think it’s time to move on. If AVB is at Chelsea long-term then there isn’t a place for him any more: AVB hasn’t built a squad to be built around him. There can’t be any room for sentiment if Chelsea are to match City and United again.

Chelsea’s biggest issues, in my opinion, come from ageing players struggling to adapt to a new system. These players have been playing the same way for years, and AVB made a mistake in enforcing too many changes too quickly. I have faith that he’ll get there, but not until he dispenses with the likes of Terry and Lampard. They’re still good players, but they don’t suit the manager’s preferred system.

I’d beg to differ on Lampard this season. Sure he’s been a little hit and miss compared to other seasons but he is still a far better player than many other Chelsea players this year.

Lampard specializes in playing behind the striker but is more than capable of playing in any position in centre midfield.