Chelsea kicked off their pre-season with a 1-1 draw away at Brighton this afternoon.
Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner were involved in the goal once the latter slotted home inside five minutes.
Werner scored his first goal with almost five minutes gone. The new Galactico signing picked up from where he left off from last season after scoring 34 goals for RB Leipzig.
The making of the goal included Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi. The former picked up the ball on the left-hand side, in-swinged one into the box to find the young Englishman. His header, which looked accidental, found Werner who coolly slotted home.
Fluidity in attack
One of the main things in the first half was the positions that Werner picked up throughout the 45. On paper he started as the furthest man forward, but a lot of his heat map was wide left and deeper in midfield. He often picked the ball up in the middle of the pitch.
What does this mean? Has the German got the license to roam? His interchanging with Hudson-Odoi meant there was fluidity. He was never isolated for long periods. He could come deep and go out wide if It meant getting on the ball.
Frank Lampard could be heading down the fluidity route. Letting his star men take control in order to make things happen.
Ziyech often cut it from the right flank in the first half. A maker of the first goal, his trademark of cutting into onto his left-foot will be a regular feature throughout the season.
Behind him, Reece James, had a good first 45. His tackling was notably good. He will be looking to improve on his 39 appearances in his breakthrough season.
His positioning was inverted when in possession. This was interesting. It could be another tactical implementation from Lampard which compacts the midfield. James is very physical, he adds more muscle to the side.
Defensive frailties of old
It may be a new season, but old defensive frailties appeared moments into the latter half. Antonio Rudiger, a second half substitute, gave a penalty away from a corner.
Willy Caballero, also a substitute, made the save to keep it 0-1. As it stands, the Argentine and his counterpart, Kepa, will battle it out for the number one shirt.
Brighton were dominating the game when the hour-mark approached. Pre-season is all about ‘minutes in the tank’, but it was concerning.
Trust in youth continues
Lampard fielded eight academy graduates by 70 minutes. Ian Maatsen and Henry Lawrence were introduced, a further sign that Lampard continues to integrate youth into the first team ranks.
Maatsen, Lawrence, Conor Gallagher, Ethan Ampadu, Hudson-Odoi, James, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lewis Baker were all on The Amex turf.
A brilliant chance for the young lads to show their ability. Maybe give the boss something to think about heading into the new season.
The game was dull as it neared its conclusion, basically what you expect in a friendly. The important thing was the players involved in creating the goal, and the amount of youngsters that were fielded.
Brighton levelled things up just before full-time. Another penalty, Pascal Gross equalised from the spot.
Lampard’s side will travel to Brighton again on September 14. The first game of the 2020/2021 season for both sides.