Three lessons learned in Chelsea’s preseason trip to Brighton

3. Most of the cameos were just cameos, but some spoke volumes

In a match where 23 players saw the field, it would be difficult to make too many sweeping conclusions. Most of those appearances were cameos but cameos can say a lot in many ways.

Nearly every starter was solid enough with three exceptions. Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen, and Kepa Arrizabalaga all had nervy moments as well as just silly decisions at times. Given all three are closer to the fringe than the starting XI, that should be a concern.

The first round of subs featured a change out of both centerbacks and the keeper. Willy Caballero made a good penalty save and had little to do otherwise. Cesar Azpilicueta did well for the most part in a back four, though he did seem a little lost when Brighton came at Chelsea directly. Antonio Rudiger has to add himself to the list of players with something to prove but failing to do so. If he is supposed to be fighting to start next season, his half really did not show a good reason as to why.

Hakim Ziyech came off with a knock for Conor Gallagher and that is when things started to slip for Chelsea. Not because of Gallagher, who had a fantastic time in his role as “counter pressing monster”, but more because of the adjustments it forced Chelsea into. The Blues went into a sort of 4-diamond-2/4-3-2-1 shape after Ziyech came off and it ceded too much space to Brighton. The Blues got put on the back foot as their press became a one man effort by Gallagher.

The final round of subs failed to reignite Chelsea’s control of the match. Olivier Giroud found himself on an island up top. Lewis Baker and Ethan Ampadu could not replace the pivot of Kovacic and Kante, though Ampadu did look ready for more cameos this preseason.

By the time youngsters Ian Maatsen and Henry Lawrence came on to replace the fullbacks, Chelsea had settled into a sort of pendulum 3-4-3 in possession. If one full back went up to join the attack, the other would always stay deep to form a back three. This is another tactic to keep an eye on going deeper into preseason and the season proper and both the youngsters held their own in the back and forth roles.

Luke McCormick and 16(!) year old Harvey Vale came on next but neither was able to influence the match in their 20 or so minutes. Juan Familo-Castillo came on last, though his appearance probably was not planned as it was for a head injury to Giroud.

Overall, Frank Lampard will have learned a few things from every player he saw though most did not really give him enough to ponder. Preseason will continue in some form or fashion as internationals kick off as Lampard looks to get ready for the new season.