Premier League giants Chelsea drew their first pre-season friendly ahead of the 20/21 campaign against Brighton and Hove Albion tonight. The Blues started the fixture looking well in the ascendancy, and it took them less than a quarter of an hour to open the scoring. A misguided header by Callum Hudson-Odoi in the box fell at the feet of Timo Werner, and the German sensation was never going to miss from there.
Hakim Ziyech played an important part in the goal but was then substituted after getting injured. A late Brighton penalty meant that the match ended in a tie, but Frank Lampard will undoubtedly have a lot of positives to take from that fixture.
Here Are The Chelsea Player Ratings Vs Brighton And Hove Albion:
Chelsea Player Ratings Vs Brighton And Hove Albion
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
The Spaniard played a couple of extremely characteristic loose passes out from the back, but he wasn’t troubled on too many occasions by the Brighton attackers. Tried to collect from set-pieces.
Reece James – 6
The Englishman did whip in a couple of dangerous crosses in the first period, but he wasn’t able to have the impact that Lampard probably intended. Tried to find attacking inroads though.
Andreas Christensen – 6.5
The Dane didn’t have too much to do in the first half as the Blues seemed to dominate proceedings for the most part. Some neat passes out from the back and a couple of good tackles as well.
Jake Clarke-Salter – 6.5
The academy star was given a start by Lampard tonight, and he certainly looked up to the challenge in the first half. Made some key tackles and looked composed when faced by an attacker too.
Marcos Alonso – 6.5
The Spaniard linked up pretty well with the midfielders and made some important defensive contributions along the way as well. Wasn’t able to create anything meaningful in the final third though.
N’Golo Kante – 7
The Frenchman was at the top of his game from the start tonight, as he made multiple key challenges in the core of this Chelsea team. Tried to get forward and have an impact in attack as well.
Mateo Kovacic – 6.5
The Croatian wasn’t at his free-flowing best in the Chelsea engine room tonight as he played a flurry of loose passes. Made some good dribbles though and looked secure for the most part.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6.5
The Englishman kept the ball moving in the midfield area but wasn’t able to penetrate the final third quite as much as he would’ve liked. Some neat passes but careless in possession at times.
Hakim Ziyech – 7
The Moroccan produced a sensational ball into Hudson-Odoi on the lead up to the opener, but his game was cut short by an injury. Has the potential to be a massive asset for Lampard next season.
Timo Werner – 7
The German international made his first-ever start in a Chelsea shirt as he started the game as the lone striker in Lampard’s setup. Had the dream debut as he scored with almost his first touch of the game.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6
The speedster wasn’t able to impact the tie in the manner that he would’ve liked, and the lack of match-fitness was visible in his play as well. Misplaced a header that fell to Werner for the opener.
Substitutes
Antonio Rudiger – 6.5
The German came into the heart of defence in the second half and didn’t do too much wrong.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6.5
The skipper wasn’t able to guide his team to victory as a late penalty resulted in a draw on the night.
Willy Caballero – 6
The Argentine veteran wasn’t called into action too much, but he couldn’t save the late penalty.
Olivier Giroud – 6.5
Had a good chance to score in the late stages but wasn’t able to beat the goalkeeper.
Ethan Ampadu – 6.5
The youngster looked secure in possession after coming on and could be an asset next season.
