THERE was good news and bad news yesterday as some of Chelsea's new signings took on Brighton in a friendly.
Timo Werner netted after just four minutes for the Blues, but Hakim Ziyech was forced off with a knee injury – although in an update, Frank Lampard doesn't believe it is 'that bad'.
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Get all the latest transfer gossip and updates from Stamford Bridge…
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WATCH AND WERN
In case you missed it, here's Timo Werner's first-ever goal for Chelsea.
The £47million summer signing from RB Leipzig needed less than four minutes to get off the mark in Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw at Brighton.
And after plundering 34 goals last season, it will take a brave person to bet against Werner hitting similar numbers at Stamford Bridge.
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BLUE VAN MAN
Chlesea are closing in on the signing of Ajax starlet Amourricho van Axel Dongen.
The Telegraph claims Chelsea lead Man Utd and City in the race for the 15-year-old winger.
The Dutchman has represented his country three times at Under-16 level – scoring once.
And he has already debuted for Ajax's Under-18 side – three years above his age group.
Van Axel Dongen has been more of a regular in the Under-17 side, however, scoring seven goals in nine games from left wing.
The wide player has also captained the development side.
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ROM FOR MORE
Everton are plotting a move for Man Utd goalie Sergio Romero.
The Mirror claims Jordan Pickford could be axed for the Argentine, who will be third choice at Old Trafford next season following Dean Henderson's return from Sheffield United.
Romero has also been linked with Chelsea.
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FAN-TASTIC
Frank Lampard felt it was good to have some supporters in the stadium again on Saturday.
He said: “It made an impact for sure.
“We hope to get to that stage as soon as possible, we want to be in front of our own fans and have Chelsea fans support us at the Bridge.
“But of course, it has to be safe first and foremost but it was a nice test.”
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SILVA LINING
Frank Lampard has given his thoughts on new boy Thiago Silva.
He said: “With Thiago Silva, we are looking at a player I know very well, pretty much as we all do.
“He brings great experience for us, he is still playing at a massively high level, as we saw in the Champions League final and games towards final.
“So I expect him to come and bring that, bring his experience, leadership and his qualities.
“It is going to be very important for us.”
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CON ARTIST
Conor Gallagher is likely to be available for another loan spell for the 2020/21 season.
The 20-year-old spent this season in the Championship with Charlton Athletic and Swansea City.
He created five goals in just 10 matches for the Swans.
West Brom are interested in him, and Birmingham Live claim a potential deal may be something they revisit in the summer.
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DUTCH COURAGE
Chelsea are in pole position to sign Ajax starlet Amourricho van Axel Dongen, according to reports.
The 15-year-old has previously been scouted by Manchester United and City.
According to The Telegraph, the Blues are keen to sign the teenager this summer.
Van Axel Dongen has earned rave reviews while playing for Ajax's Under-18 team this season.
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CAN'T HAK IT
Frank Lampard is hopeful that Hakim Ziyech's injury is “not too bad” after he was hauled off against Brighton.
He said: “He's got a bit of a knock on his knee, a small twist which we will have assess.
“Hopefully it's not too bad.”
After appearing to hurt his knee while awkwardly twisting by the touchline, he limped off the pitch.
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FAN-TASTIC
Frank Lampard felt it was good to have some supporters in the stadium again on Saturday.
He said: “It made an impact for sure.
“We hope to get to that stage as soon as possible, we want to be in front of our own fans and have Chelsea fans support us at the Bridge.
“But of course, it has to be safe first and foremost but it was a nice test.”
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BLUES CRUISE
Here's how the start of the season is looking for Frank Lampard's side…
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'DARK HORSES'
Danny Murphy has tipped Arsenal to challenge Chelsea and United for the top four next season – as long as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sticks around and the signings come good.
Writing for the Mail, he said: “If they can add a few more signings, I think Arsenal can be dark horses for the top four.
“As it stands, they would cause teams problems but, as much as they would go on good runs, they are still vulnerable at times.
“Willian is a terrific signing, with his experience and winning mentality. Gabriel Magalhaes, the centre-back from Lille, is nearly over the line.
“If they can get Dani Ceballos back on loan – their best player at the end of last season – and sign Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid, who would give them crucial tenacity and physicality in midfield, I think they have a squad to challenge Chelsea and Manchester United for the Champions League places.
“Then again, none of that will make much difference unless Aubameyang gets pen to paper.”
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CHIL OUT
The boss has revealed why he signed Ben Chilwell for Chelsea.
Frank Lampard said: “With Ben Chilwell, he is a player I know very well, he has been pretty much England's first-choice left-back now in recent times.
“Great qualities in terms of how he can join in, he is athletic, his physicality, the way he plays and the quality of his left foot.
“So for us in terms of how he can help out on the left side, attack-wise and defensively, which of course is always first and foremost, I am excited to work with him so I think he is a great addition.”
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TALK TO FRANK
Frank Lampard has praised new boys Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech following the win over Brighton.
Speaking on the Chelsea club website, he said: “I thought Timo was really sharp and bright.
“He got his goal really early in the game, he showed some qualities that I know very well he has so I am very exciting about having him in the squad.
“I thought his work rate and everything about him was a great little start for him and Hakim Ziyech the same.”
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BEING FRANK
Frank Lampard needs to significantly improve his Chelsea team this season to avoid being sacked, claimed Tony Cascarino.
Speaking on talkSport, the former Blues player said: “Frank will be fully aware that him getting that investment means there's a different challenge now.
“He will know the expectation won't just be qualifying for Champions League football.
“That was the expectation last summer, and if they managed it with a transfer embargo then it's a bonus.”
Before he added: “That brings more pressure and Frank will know that, but if he doesn't reach their expectations and goals then he's not going to be manager of Chelsea next year.”
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HUD ENOUGH?
Tammy Abraham has trolled Callum Hudson-Odoi for his “assist” against Brighton.
After the ball was whipped into the box, the striker mistimed his header and the ball smashed him in the side of the face.
It fell into the path of Werner, who slotted his effort past Mat Ryan.
After the match, Abraham left a cheeky comment on his Instagram post.
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WAIT AND ZIY
Frank Lampard has issued an update on Hakim Ziyech's injury, following the club's 1-1 draw at Brighton at the Amex.
The Chelsea website wrote that: “After the game Lampard described it as a little twist to the knee that will have to be assessed.”
Chelsea face Brighton again at the same venue on Monday, September 14 as they begin their Premier League campaign and Lampard will hope to have the Moroccan fit for that one.
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AUBA AND IN
Mikel Arteta has revealed he believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been “convinced to stay” with Arsenal.
He then added: “My job is to try to convince him he's at the right place at the right time,” Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I think we got that and then we have to make the paperwork and that takes a bit of time.”
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GOOD MORNING, CHELSEA FANS
Blues supporters were left drooling at the prospect of having Timo Werner banging in the goals next season.
The £48million signing needed less than four minutes to score on his debut in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Fellow new boy Hakim Ziyech also showed his quality by playing a terrific pass to help set up the goal.
But it ended on a sour note when the midfielder limped off injured with a knee injury in the second half.
Chelsea's medical staff were taking no risks, as physios helped Ziyech as he walked off the Amex pitch.
Lampard later told Chelsea's website that Ziyech had suffered “a little twist to the knee that will have to be assessed.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea could still make three more signings this summer despite their monster spending already.
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice remains a key target for Frank Lampard along with Kai Havertz.
And the boss still wants a new keeper with Andre Onana an option.
But new arrivals are likely to mean departures too and Tammy Abraham could be sacrificed with Aston Villa interested.
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GIAN-BLUE-IGI
Chelsea are targeting a move for AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to replace flop Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to reports.
Frank Lampard is desperate to replace the £71.6million goalkeeper after a dreadful 2019-20.
And reports claim the Blues are set to continue their sensational spending on the £45m-rated Italian after contacting agent Mino Raiola.
Chelsea have already looked at Dean Henderson, Andre Onana, Jan Oblak and Edouard Mendy.
Henderson signed a new five-year contract at Manchester United, while deals for Onana and Oblak proved fruitless.
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TAM TO MOVE?
Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is wanted by Aston Villa as he faces a big fight for his future in West London.
The Blues have signed Timo Werner this summer after seasons of scoring in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig.
And Frank Lampard is believed to be close to bringing in exciting German talent Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen for £90million.
Having also signed Hakim Ziyech from Ajax, Lampard could go with a new dynamic for his frontline next season.
And Olivier Giroud agreed a new deal with the club late last season, and ended the campaign preferred to Abraham.
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THREE'S A CROWD
Chelsea could still make THREE more signings this summer despite their monster spending already.
The Blues have already bought Ben Chilwell (£50million), Timo Werner (£48m) and Hakim Ziyech (£36m) this window.
Kai Havertz is the top target, with the £90m-rated Bayer Leverkusen star expected to be confirmed at Stamford Bridge imminently.
West Ham's Declan Rice is also in the pipeline while Lampard is still after a goalkeeper.
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HAK'D DOWN
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard said Hakim Ziyech's injury will need further assessment.
Ziyech hobbled off in the second half of Chelsea's pre-season friendly away at Brighton.
It appeared to be a knee problem for the former Ajax man.
The club website said it was a “little twist to the knee that will be looked at”.
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TIM TO SHINE
Timo Werner said it is the first of hopefully many goals.
The German bagged in his first game since arriving from RB Leipzig.
Limited Brighton fans were allowed into the Amex to see Chelsea's 1-1 draw with the Seagulls in pre-season.
View this post on Instagram
Good start, first of hopefully many goals! 😆🔵 @calteck10
A post shared byTimo Werner (@timowerner) on
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PLAYER RATINGS
SunSport dished out our ratings for the Chelsea players in today's game.
Timo Werner impressed with a debut goal and received 8/10.
Also earning an 8 was Callum Hudson-Odoi who set up his strike and looked industrious throughout.
However, Spanish left-back Marcos Alonso left a lot to be desired after picking up an early booking in a friendly and his sloppy play saw him given just 4/10.
Blues fans will be desperate to see new signing Ben Chilwell out on the field ASAP.
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ALL SQUARE
Chelsea drew 1-1 against Brighton at the Amex.
The pre-season friendly ended level after a late penalty converted by Pascal Gross.
New signing Timo Werner bagged his first Blues goal just four minutes into the game.
But fellow new ace Hakim Ziyech hobbled off to leave Frank Lampard and Chelsea fans sweating ahead of the new season.
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