Frank Lampard earned praise from fans and pundits alike for his debut campaign as Chelsea manager and deservedly so.The Premier League legend, who returned to Stamford Bridge last summer after a one-year spell with Derby County in the Championship, led the Blues to a top-four finish and a place in the FA Cup final.Not all that impressive on the face of it, but Lampard achieved this despite Chelsea’s transfer ban and the fact the club’s best player, Eden Hazard, had left for Real Madrid.Lampard was left with no choice but to get the very best out of the players he already had, while simultaneously playing his part in helping the club’s talented young players to step up.He did just that and Chelsea, against the odds, ended up finishing fourth in the Premier League table.Chelsea’s board have rewarded Lampard by backing him in the transfer market.p1eggo1sgm1ra1dtq1mvtmqo12c99.jpgThe Blues made two excellent signings at the start of the window, snapping up Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech from RB Leipzig and Ajax, respectively.And now, as we approach the start of the 2020-19 campaign, Chelsea are on the brink of signing Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell, experienced Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva and Bayer Leverkusen’s gifted playmaker Kai Havertz.Lampard is hoping to replace the unconvincing Kepa Arrizabalaga with another top goalkeeper and then the transformation will be complete.Rewind 12 months to Lampard’s first competitive game as Chelsea manager and it highlights just how remarkable the transformation has been.This was Chelsea’s starting line-up on the opening weekend of the 2019-20 season.p1eggo49gncu01iin1qel2na1ss1c.jpg

Andreas Christensen and Emerson in defence, Jorginho in the middle of the park with Ross Barkley, and a front-three comprised of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Pedro.

N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic, now one of the first names on Lampard’s teamsheet, were among the substitutes that day.

Lampard’s side, as you’ll all remember, were beaten 4-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

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But here’s what Lampard’s XI could look like for this season’s Premier League opener against Brighton on September 14, minus the goalkeeper…

Lille’s Mike Maignan, Ajax’s Andre Onana and Burnley’s Nick Pope are three of the goalkeepers Chelsea are reportedly considering to replace Kepa.

But even if Kepa is in between the sticks for the opening match, that’s still a drastically improved XI from last season.

Reece James could also be at right-back over Cesar Azpilicueta, while Mateo Kovacic could be in the starting line-up instead of Mason Mount.

Thiago Silva, meanwhile, will bring some invaluable experience to Chelsea’s defence.

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But it’s all about that scary-looking attacking line-up.

Havertz, Pulisic, Ziyech and Werner in the same team means Chelsea will surely fancy their chances of scoring goals against any team in the Premier League next season.

Here's another way Chelsea could line-up against Brighton (again, minus the goalkeeper)...

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