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Three pre-season games in and Frank Lampard has suffered his first defeat as Chelsea boss. And as much as anyone says that pre-season results don’t matter, it could not have felt good. But it isn’t all doom and gloom in July… those new mod kits got their first run out and looked good doing it. They deserved better — or at least a goal.
This was the first match that saw any players see more than 45 minutes of action. In fact two players managed to endure the insane humidity for the full 90 - and not to worry, David Luiz seemed to have a good frizz control product in his hair to keep looking out of sorts. Ironically the other player that saw out the entire match was not even meant to start. Willy Caballero heroically stepped in for Kepa who was struck down with some bug but will likely see his first minutes of the summer against Barcelona on Tuesday. No pressure.
Eagle-eyed super keener fans spotted some of the players shirt numbers have changed from the previous two matches. Chelsea were quick to dismiss these changes as anything to go by and stressed not to go out and get that printed on a shirt. Because you’re a grown ass man. As the numbers at the moment may not actually be the player’s squad number for the season.
Mason Mount of shirt number 31 fame in the opening two matches sported the 19 on Friday which was also his squad number in Vitesse. Some have cited this as ‘insight’ into why he’ll be part of the first team squad this season. All anyone needed to know that was common sense and eyeballs. One of which often being in short supply. The young midfielder was key to Lampard’s Derby last season - and were a lesser team any time he was not involved. Beyond that he has been outstanding throughout preseason so far. He makes clever runs, is full of energy and has never looked out of place. Stick any number on his back you want - he will play a large role throughout the season for Chelsea.
The 20 year old Englishman was also one of a handful of players to be given a few extra minutes to work on his fitness playing out the opening 65 minutes. Mount made way for the hotly anticipated debut of Christian Pulisic. The American already had a leg up on his teammates in terms of fitness thanks to his involvement in the Gold Cup - which the US lost in the final. And it showed when he came sprinting onto the pitch. Within moments he was involved in a move that should have ended in a goal but was ultimately blocked by the keeper. Very early days but definitely showed promise of things to come.
Not showing any signs of promise was the midfield duo of Danny Drinkwater and Tiemoue Bakayoko. They came on as second half substitutes for Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho. The later had by and large controlled the midfield and seemed to be developing a good understanding of one another. Although one will be replaced by N’Golo Kante when he returns from injury. I’m not sure their could have been a less inspiring moment of pre-season. With the transfer ban not budging they are likely to remain part of the squad but should be used sparingly. And never together.
Slightly concerning for Chelsea is still the small matter of where the goals will come from. Olivier Giroud came close in the second half - and Michy Batshuayi worked his sweaty socks off again. But no one actually did score. With a small Belgian who shall not be named contributing more than half of Chelsea’s goals last season it is still a question mark that seems to hang over the club just about every summer - even when there isn’t a ban in place. Chelsea have been moving the ball around much quicker than last season - which wouldn’t be hard. But the aggression and forward thinking could see Batshuayi and Giroud get better service and this nagging worry can be a thing we all laught about at Christmas.
Next up Barcelona. Easy peasy right?
jb x
RESULT: Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 Chelsea
GOALS: Leandro Damiao 86’
CHELSEA XI: Caballero, Azpilicueta (Zappacosta 46), Zouma (Christensen 46), David Luiz, Alonso (Emerson 46), Kovacic (Drinkwater 57), Jorginho (Bakayoko 57), Pedro (Barkley 46), Mount (Pulisic 65) Kenedy (Palmser 71), Batshuayi (Giroud 46)
STAR MAN: Mason Mount
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