Scout Notes

How Chelsea are shaping up under Lampard in pre-season

Chelsea slumped to a 1-0 defeat in their latest pre-season friendly on Friday morning.

Frank Lampard’s tactical experimentations continued in Japan and we’ll analyse his first loss as the Blues’ head coach in our Scout Notes article below.

Our game-by-game, team-by-team pre-season minutes spreadsheet has also been updated and is available to read here.

Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 Chelsea

Lampard says he wants Kurt Zouma to stay at Stamford Bridge this summer and bolster his options in central defence.

Zouma, who spent last season on loan at Everton, played the first 45 minutes of Friday’s friendly against Kawasaki Frontale as Lampard’s search for his Gameweek 1 centre-back pairing continued.

Antonio Rudiger (£6.0m) is expected to miss the start of the campaign and Lampard has tried various options in Chelsea’s three pre-season games to date, including playing Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m) at the heart of the defence.

This latest fixture saw Zouma and David Luiz (£6.0m) start the match at centre-half, with Andreas Christensen (£5.0m) replacing the Frenchman at the interval.

Lampard said:

Kurt is a very good defender, a very good person and professional, and I want him here, simple as that. We are competitive with the centre-backs we’ve got in the team. He had a very good season at Everton and I understand why they want him but he’s a Chelsea player and I want him. He’s working really hard and if he competes for a position and plays well this season then he plays.

Azpilicueta’s reversion to right-back will disappoint those who held out faint, optimistic hopes of Davide Zappacosta (£4.5m) offering us a cut-price route into Chelsea’s defence in FPL.

The Italian full-back did replace Azpilicueta at half-time, at least, and has featured in all three of Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies so far.

Chelsea were beaten by an 86th-minute header from Leandro Damiao and understandably struggled to sustain any intensity in a humid Yokohama, although had plenty of chances before they fell behind.

The mercury read 30 degrees in the Japanese city and Lampard cited the heat and humidity as an excuse after full-time:

Obviously, we want to win matches no matter what but ten days of pre-season, having flown into Japan three days ago, brings up a lot of difficulties for us physically.

That’s why I was very pleased with the players physically. They gave everything in strong humidity with some good individual performances. I discovered a real appetite and attitude to work in the humidity with jetlag for a lot of the players.

People are finding their fitness and their form. There are the normal things in pre-season that take a bit of time: being clinical in front of goal which we weren’t, but that comes, and some small details we will work on.

Our quality of play on the ball was not quite what we want. We will get there. In front of goal, it was a similar thing. We are not quite as sharp as we want to be but we are working towards that and I’m confident it will come. I have got no fears. I was happy with big parts of the performances.

There were still positives to take from the game, with Ross Barkley (£6.0m) a man-of-the-match candidate and Jorginho (£5.0m) resembling the intelligent pass merchant we were all promised at the start of 2018/19.

Barkley set up a succession of chances – two for Kenedy – with some sumptuous through-balls, operating in the hole in a 4-2-3-1.

It was a mixed bag from the Brazilian, who struggled on the left flank before improving on the opposite wing in the second half.

Lampard said:

With Kenedy, my feeling coming into a big squad with a transfer ban, is that I need to assess the players for as long as I can in pre-season to make sure we pick the right squad.

If Kenedy continues to show the attitude and play the way he did today he is making a great case to stay having been on loan in recent seasons. Nobody is in or out of the squad or has had a line drawn under or over them. Everybody is competing to stay in it.

Mason Mount, who played under Lampard at Derby last season, was involved with the senior team for the second game in a row, first starting as a number ten before moving to the left flank after Barkley’s introduction.

The Chelsea boss said of the young midfielder’s performance:

I thought Mason’s performance was really good. It was a continuation of how he played for me last year on loan. His energy is quality even though he hasn’t been with us long. We know Mason is part of the first-team squad this year, and it’s time for him. His qualities will improve even more with the quality around him. Everyone knows the hopes I have for Mason, and he showed a glimmer of what we may see this year and going forward.

We didn’t have much time to assess Christian Pulisic (£7.5m), who made his bow as a 65th-minute substitute and took up a left-wing role.

Speaking after full-time, the American said:

I’m delighted to be out here with the team and to play in an actual match for the first time as a Chelsea player feels really good.

We wanted to come out with the win but pre-season is all about getting minutes under the belt and I feel great for being out there.

It was a tough one out there with the humidity and they were a very good opponent, we saw that with their goal at the end but you want tough games like that in pre-season.

Pulisic showed glimpses of what he is capable of against Kawasaki and Lampard has been impressed with the ex-Dortmund winger so far:

He’s comfortable on the ball and I think he should have had a penalty towards the end of the game.

He wants to try to take people on, the sort of player the fans are going to like so we have to give him a little bit of time to adapt slightly.

But the way he has trained, the way he has come in with his personality looks great so I am really pleased to have him.

Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud (£7.0m) each got a half to impress, battling gamely in the lone striker’s role without much to show for their efforts.

Tammy Abraham wasn’t involved, with Lampard explaining why the young striker and Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.5m) missed out:

Tammy Abraham has tonsillitis and Kepa reported a stomach bug this afternoon. I’m not a doctor but it probably comes a little bit alongside what I mentioned before about players not sleeping and finding it difficult in different ways, and it’s come out in those two players.

I don’t expect either of them to be too long. I know Tammy is already on the mend. Hopefully, both are in contention for Barcelona next week.

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Azpilicueta (Zappacosta 45′), Zouma (Christensen 45′), David Luiz, Alonso (Emerson 45′); Kovacic (Drinkwater 57′), Jorginho (Bakayoko 57′); Pedro (Barkley 45′), Mount (Pulisic 65′), Kenedy (Palmer 71′); Batshuayi (Giroud 45′).

1,631 Comments Post a Comment
  1. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling had his best ever fpl return last season. Still not as good as Kdbs returns in 17/18 and 16/17.

    1. Loftus cheeky nandos
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      From now on I think sterling will improve each season getting more and more points

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling last season got 234 points. He got 229 the season before. He's developed as a player. He's a lot more lethal now than 3 seasons ago when KdB was getting his big scores.

    3. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Are you sure?
      KdB got 199, and 209
      Sterling got 229 and 234

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        This. There are counterfactual statements being made, all over the place.

    4. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I really hope KdB stays fit throughout the season. Easily the best player in the league for me.

      1. Worsle90
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I completely agree

      2. Arctic_Orangutans
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Is now hazard has gone

    5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I could see Sterling benefiting TREMENDOUSLY from having KDB back, the guy is an assist machine

      KDB will rack up the assists & Sterling will rack up the goals I’d wager

      1. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Don't you think Aguero could see a bump in his output as well, with a fully fit KdB

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I’m not sure, Kun is 31 now, his days of “improving”as such are over I think, it’s more about trying to maintain his recent levels

          Which seem to be around he 200 points a season mark

          He absolutely could pop up with a black swan season too though & score 35 goals with the service he gets... but I think Sterling is shifting to become more of heir main threat for the next few years

    6. Lebowski85
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ummm....the most KdB ever got was 209.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        + 42.

    7. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Seriously I knew this was incorrect without even having to check.

    8. scubasmithy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      This is totally incorrect, check your facts

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Check his username 😉

  2. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) Double Liverpool defense+KDB
    B) TAA+AWB+Sterling

    1. Conor1
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Definitely A

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A.

      But I'm desperate to get Sterling over KdB so I'll find a way to get that 2.5m.

    3. Big4FPL
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Tbf you could have Gomez instead of AWB if you still wanted to take a punt on double Liverpool in your scenario...bit risky but could work

  3. Big4FPL
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Is Robbo to VVD worth it to go 6.0 mid (Grealish currently) to a 6.5 such as Perez/Tielemans?

    On one hand I really want to have both Liverpool fullbacks but on the other the 6.5 mids seem a lot better than those 6.0 and below...maybe I’m being harsh on the likes of Grealish/El Ghazi/Barkley etc

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      In my opinion, no,

      VvD and Perez the better option.

      1. Big4FPL
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      If that's the only way to get 0.5m do it.

      6.0 > 6.5 mid is a huge upgrade. Lots of far better picks at 6.5m than 6.0m.

      1. Big4FPL
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah I’ve been going through the 6 and belows and constantly think they’re a punt, the 6.5’s feel a lot safer - cheers!

        1. tbeans22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I'd rather have Robbo but if it's the difference between Grealish and Tielemans/Perez, you gotta do that.

  4. xRedArrow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    This is my set and forget team till preseason finishes.

    Ryan/Heaton
    TAA-Robbo-Zinchenko-Digne
    Salah-Sterling-Sigurdsson-Perez
    King-Jota

    Bench: Dendoncker-Kelly-Greenwood

    Early Thoughts?

    1. Lebowski85
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Vey very similar to mine. Except I've got

      Button/Azpi/Giroud
      over
      Heaton/Zinc/Jota

  5. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    If Zinchenko can nail down his spot it opens up a world of glory!

    Pope
    TAA VVD Digne Zinchenko
    Salah Sterling Kdb Perez/Tielemans
    Kind Deulofeu/Jota

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Not a minute too soon either as it looks like an exit strategy from Everton defensive assets may be required if Gueye is leaving

      1. Lebowski85
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        We will 100% replace him. You are correct though, he is key & no Zouma is an issue

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I’m not actually too bothered about Zouma - they coped really well without him last season (effectively 5 CS in the 6 games he missed)

          Gueye looks kind of irreplaceable though he’s a special player - 13 clean sheets in his last 18 games for club & country!

  6. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson
    Trent Robbo Zinc
    Salah Sterling Moura Iwobi
    Greenwood King Deeney

    Button Dendonk Rico Lundstram

    2.5 ITB for repairs when it goes tits up! like?

  7. New article
  8. RomeluStormzy
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I guess its still coming down to the age old argument of...

    A) Vardy and KDB

    or

    B) Sterling and Deulefeu

    1. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Currently on A
      But that 2.5m difference between these two options could be a life long argument.

  9. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I think most expect Sadio Mane not to start the season, but essentially confirmation here from Klopp:

    "We have important games to come and we know pretty much which players are available. Hopefully we can go through this period without any injuries and let's prepare the group we have around for the first couple of games. Then Sadio should be in as well and fresh enough to go again."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49023743

  10. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I know a lot can change but how’s this looking?

    Ederson
    TAA. VVD. Zinc. Coleman.
    Salah. KDB. Brooks. Perez.
    Kane. Deulofeu.

    Woodman. Greenwood. Dendonker. Kelly.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      It does look excellent. My only concern is you might get caught short if 2 of Zinks, Kev or maybe Salah are rested and someone in addition to Donks needs to step up. I can see you've already shaved off the easy 0.5s so I'd prolly just bank what you've got there.

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers!

  11. etown
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Good evening everyone,
    First draft looking for any feedback.

    Ryan

    VVD. Digne. AWB.

    Fraser. Siggy. Gross. Salah.

    Wilson. Aguero. Deulofeu.

    Button, Dendoncker, Simpson, Kelley.

    Liking Gross as a differential especially with fixtures.

    Not sure that I need both Fraser and Wilson but great fixtures.

    Going back and forth with Aguero.

    Bench is poor I know.

    Nothing in bank.

  12. aarrgghh
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    How many games do we think Mane will miss?Thinking of going with Origi instead of double Pool defence from the start

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      2 at best. Won't be surprised if he starts GW 1 or 2 either. He isn't injured. Just joining late and the time of joining in particular is unknown.

    2. MINUS FOUR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I was thinking about it but the dream is now over. Mane's return to training date with Liverpool has been confirmed as 4/5 August, so about 5 days before the GW1 fixture. And Klopp has basically suggested he might play vs Norwich after 2 weeks off, but if not it's hard to imagine he doesn't at least come off the bench or straight back in for GW2.

      1. aarrgghh
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        OK,thanx,back to the drawingboard

  13. cdfcdevils
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Rate my team please!!!

    Still got 2.0 in the bank.

    Pope
    VDD, Robertson, Zinchenko, Coleman
    Salah, de Bruyne, Sigurdsson, Perez
    Deeney, King

    Button, Johnson (WHU), Norwood, Jota