Chelsea key clashes at Brighton: Timo Werner vs. Lewis Dunk

Chelsea travels to England’s south coast for its season opener against Brighton, here are three key clashes to watch for in the match.

Yes, it’s finally here, the dramatic return of the Premier League! It may have been a matter of weeks since the football season wrapped, but it’s felt like ages. Alas, here we are again, back in the mix; this time down at the Amex Stadium in Brighton. Graham Potter’s Seagulls await Frank Lampard’s new-look Blues in the season opener, but where will the game be won and lost? Here’s three key clashes to keep an eye on:

1. Timo Werner vs. Lewis Dunk

Monday is setting up to be the first time we see Chelsea’s new No. 11, Timo Werner, in action. Well, real action that is. He should be perfectly prepared, having already played the Seagulls in his one and only outing for the Blues during the preseason.

That day, he only got sixty minutes against Brighton centerback Lewis Dunk, but he still did enough to get on the scoresheet with a right place, right time tap-in following Callum Hudson-Odoi’s wayward header. After sporadic links with club himself throughout the transfer window, Dunk will be keen to impose himself on the 24-year-old German.

Thing is, Werner’s hard to impose one’s self on. He’s one of those forwards who has so many different strings to his bow, he’s impossible to break. He’s a primal finisher with good pace who can also hit you from long range—if he’s not getting any luck in the tight spaces. Still, as we’re constantly reminded, it’s tough to gauge a player’s physical prowess before their Premier League begins. Dunk represents as big a bully baptism as there is at the back. That is, until Virgil van Dijk comes knocking next week.

2. Frank Lampard vs. Graham Potter

Much is expected of Lampard this season. After a pressure-relieving transfer ban eased his way into the job, lavish spending this summer has heaped it all right back on his shoulders. While the attack looks as menacing as it has this century, question marks remain at the back.

Sure, Thiago Silva was an astute capture on both morale and money terms, but is he the answer? Can he really assuage all that susceptibility to the counter at 35 and almost 36 years old? It seems unlikely. Ben Chilwell might have a better chance, but he won’t be able to prove that for a month or so. Of course, it wasn’t all the defense—teams were able to bypass the midfield at an inordinate rate. How Lampard has counteracted that fact over the summer will have a massive effect on how his side fare this season.

Which is where Potter comes in. At first glance, Potter’s pass-heavy style and similarly leaky back line (literally, both teams conceded 54 goals last season) don’t seem to pose Lampard too many problems. But the 45-year-old is one of the few risk-takers left in the bottom half of the table, and with Adam Lallana now leading the midfield, Lampard must ensure his team stays focussed throughout the encounter.

3. Good Omens vs. Tempering Expectations

Brighton has failed to beat the Blues in the last six outings, losing five and scoring just twice. In fact, over the course of 10 games, the Blues have never once lost to the Seagulls in the league. This making Brighton the team Chelsea has faced the most without losing in league history.

Here’s another promising statistic: Chelsea’s season opener has come on a Monday just twice—in 2014/15 and 2016/17. Both times, the Blues won the title. If that doesn’t get you up for it, I don’t know what will.

Yet, these promises of potential must be countered with the fact that a new team needs time to gel, and this year of all years, there’s a serious premium on that precious resource. A one-game preseason precipitates an unprecedentedly packed fixture list. Amassing early points may well be crucial to guard against a likely let-up late on. That starts with getting the maximum on Monday. To do that, Werner, Silva, Kai Havertz and co. must hit the ground running.

What are the key clashes you’ll have an eye on? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!