Frank Lampard believes Chelsea are already displaying the advantages of his 200 million kilos ($257 million) spending spree as they kicked off their Premier League marketing campaign with a Three-1 win at Brighton on Monday. Blues boss Lampard has splashed out on a bunch of recent signings and the early returns on his lavish funding have been promising. Germany striker Timo Werner, a 53 million-pound recruit from RB Leipzig, gained the penalty that Jorginho transformed to place Chelsea forward. Kai Havertz, who made a 70 million-pound change from Bayer Leverkusen, wasn’t fairly so impactful, however Lampard might be assured there are higher days to return from the younger Germany ahead.
“Timo’s pace to win the penalty confirmed he’s sharp and he was a risk all evening. He’s very cell and I favored his efficiency,” Lampard mentioned.
“With Kai we noticed lots as properly. To get these minutes will solely be good and each of them might be big gamers for this membership.”
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was responsible of one other mistake when Leandro Trossard equalised for Brighton.
However Reece James’ very good strike put Chelsea again in entrance earlier than Kurt Zouma’s deflected effort sealed the factors.
It was an encouraging end result for Lampard, who has accepted he’s beneath strain to ship a title problem after spending greater than some other membership up to now in the summertime switch window.
“I believe to count on all the pieces to click on on day one could be very tough. However what they did do was present a little bit of dedication,” Lampard mentioned.
I actually favored the work ethic and the self-discipline of the group. We have been collectively as a group for 4 days after the worldwide break. We had lots of quarantines earlier than that and new signings.
“We’d have dropped factors on this recreation final season. I am not getting excited by that on day one, however it had a bit little bit of dedication and resilience about it I believed.”
Chelsea completed 33 factors behind champions Liverpool in fourth final season earlier than a disappointing FA Cup last defeat towards Arsenal, however they’re primed to enhance if Lampard can gel his new signings.
Lampard’s different costly recruits, former Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech and ex-Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, have been each sidelined by accidents, whereas Thiago Silva wasn’t obtainable as he returns to coaching following his free switch from Paris Saint-Germain.
The historians amongst Chelsea’s fanbase can have famous this was the third time they’ve started a Premier League campaign with a Monday night victory, with the Blues happening to win the title on the earlier events in 2014-15 and 2016-17.
The one frustration for Lampard was Kepa’s howler.
The world’s most costly keeper was already beneath strain to enhance after an error-strewn season and with Chelsea having spoken to Rennes about Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy, his days as first alternative is likely to be numbered.
Insisting he has not written off Kepa but, Lampard mentioned: “I’m pleased with Kepa, I noticed confidence in him, he’s right here, he’s our keeper and I’m pleased with him.”
Stylish Werner
Werner was Chelsea’s central striker whereas Havertz lined up on the precise flank within the three-man assault.
It was Werner who confirmed all his class as Chelsea took the lead within the 23rd minute.
Brighton midfielder Steven Alzate surrendered possession with a wayward move and Jorginho fed Werner, who raced by on aim and was introduced down by Mat Ryan as he rounded the Albion keeper.
Jorginho stepped as much as take the penalty and Chelsea’s captain despatched Ryan the incorrect method together with his trademark hop earlier than capturing.
Brighton equalised within the 54th minute when Trossard’s 20-yard shot slipped beneath Kepa’s weak tried save.
Promoted
Kepa’s blunder wasn’t deadly for Chelsea as James restored their lead simply 100 seconds later with a surprising 30-yard blast.
Chelsea sealed the factors within the 66th minute when Zouma met James’ nook with a volley that took a heavy deflection of Adam Webster to wrong-foot Ryan.
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