20/21 prep starts today!
Chelsea have been going through their paces since last weekend as the squad returned to pre-season training. The signings over the last few days have taken centre stage but Chelsea had organised this friendly a while back. Since then the fixture list was announced and we play Brighton in our first game and so their were doubts if this game will be played out but both clubs decided to go along.
This will be Chelsea’s only pre-season friendly before the international break as players will leave on Monday to take part in Nations League games. It’s a good chance for Lampard to see how the squad is doing and work some ideas into play as we look to hit the ground running next season. Pre-season is usually about fitness but with this year being so lopsided the gap in play hasn’t been that drastic.
Brighton Team Preview
Graham Potter has been working with his squad for around 2-3 weeks now as Brighton ended their season when the league ended. Brighton have actually done fairly well in the transfer window having signed Adam Lallana and Joel Veltman from Ajax. Young centre back Ben White has also returned from his loan spell at Leeds United where he did brilliantly. These players along with the usuals in Dunk, Maupay, Trossard, Gross, Propper, Bissouma and of course our own ex Chelsea player in Lamptey make for an exciting squad. Brighton have played no friendlies up till now and haven’t been in action for sometime and so fitness levels will be something to keep an eye on.
Chelsea Team Preview
Chelsea have quite a few players missing for this game as a bunch of them had to go into self isolation having doubts with Coronavirus. Mount, Abraham, Barkley, Emerson, Jorginho, Batshuayi, and Tomori have all been missing from training while Pulisic, and Gilmour are out injured. Ben Chilwell is also recovering from injury while Sarr is heading out on loan and Thiago Silva just signed. Two players that will be involved today are Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech as Chelsea fans will finally get to see both the players put on Chelsea blue. The rest of the squad is available as well while the likes of Ampadu, Gallagher, Baker, Clarke-Salter, Maatsen etc all involved in training amongst others. It’s always hard to predict who will start in pre-season friendlies but I will go with our best possible eleven. Kepa is still around and he could get a final chance and should start in goal. Reece James should start at right back with Zouma, and Christensen as our centre-backs while Azpilicueta makes up the left back spot. Kante is back fit and should start as CDM while Kovacic and Loftus-Cheek should play further forward. Hudson-Odoi has been heavily involved and should play at left wing with Pulisic out while Ziyech should start at right wing. Timo Werner should lead the line as our striker. Caballero, Maatsen, Clarke-Salter, Gallagher, Ampadu, Giroud, Alonso, Rudiger, etc should all make appearances throughout the game. It’s a pretty strong lineup and one that I am excited to see.
Starting XI Prediction
So much to be excited about for this game with Ziyech and Werner but also a fully fit Kante and Loftus-Cheek. It’s all about fitness but it will be a fun game to watch as it’s going to be telecast free on the 5th Stand App. Fans will also be allowed into the stadium for the first time as the government looks to ease them back. Around 2000 Brighton fans will be able to enter the stadium. COME ON YOU BLUES!!!
Park The Bus 