Bohemians v Chelsea: The One that Frank Lampard took charge of

Just looks right

Normally if a season ended in securing a Champions League position and picking up (another) European trophy, fans would be full of vim and vigour. The mood around Stamford Bridge could not have been further from that if they'd tried just a few weeks ago. What a difference a month has made!

SUPER FRANK IS BACK BABY!!

Sorry for shouting at you all, but if ever a man warranted it - it's him. Admittedly when the rumours started circulating that he could be in the dugout next season I felt a lot more tentatively hopeful than the pee my pants excited I was when Chelsea made the actual announcement.

Of course there is going to be a steep learning curve and a single season at Derby isn't exactly preparing anyone for the demands of the Premier League let alone the madness of the Chelsea hotseat. But if anyone could handle the pressure and make this work - it has to be him.

Last night saw Chelsea's returning hero take charge of his first ever game against the mighty Bohemians. Which no doubt we're all very familiar with....

... me neither. But they are mid-season so their fitness levels were in good nick. Which ultimately is what the team need from pre-season games - a little pressure to get themselves into fighting shape after a summer of fried food and too much alcohol. In no way am I just speaking for myself here. I definitely am.

Frank Lampard's first ever Chelsea XI consisted of a mixture of youth and experience. Or in other words, players who will definitely start and those that will likely be on the bench. And Danny Drinkwater.

There were rumblings that he would go Conte-esque with three at the back but the initial shape seemed to be classic 4-2-3-1 with Michy Batshuayi back leading the line. His detractors may be disappointed to know that he looked lively and was unlucky not to score more than Chelsea's only goal on the night. On more than a few occassions Batman could have done with someone making a run into the box to support him. If only there were someone at the club to teach the midfielders that.

Ethan Ampadu is a machine

The other bright spark was the dread-locked wonder that is Ethan Ampadu. While most have been focusing their 'academy kids need minutes' energy on the double-barrelled duo Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ampadu has quietly gone about his business tackling the bejesus out of anyone that crosses his path. He exudes the confidence of a player much more his senior. And has only really been undone by some unfortunate injuries.

If he cracks on through pre-season like he did against the Bohemians, we should be seeing much more of him and his marauding runs around Stamford Bridge this season. Having the versatility to play in either defence or central midfield is a bonus through a long campaign.

Lampard changed his entire starting XI for the second half which saw Kurt Zouma and Tiemoue Bakayoko return amidst a number of academy products and loanees. While they started brightly they struggled to maintain possession and saw Bohemians test Jamie Cumming a number of times. Finding a VERY late equaliser.

Not a 'dream' start to life back at the Bridge, but that was never really the point. Seeing as many of his new charges in action as possible and working on fitness amid all the double training sessions was what it was all about.

It's been a while since I've been this excited for preseason let alone the actual big boy season to come.

jb x

RESULT: Bohemians 1-1 Chelsea

STARTING XI: Caballero; Sterling, Azpilicueta (c), Guehi, Kenedy; Ampadu, Drinkwater; Pedro, Gallagher, Palmer; Batshuayi

STAR MAN: Ethan Ampadu