Frank
Lampard suffered his first defeat as Chelsea manager as Leandro Damiao's
late strike gave Kawasaki a 1-0 friendly win in Yokohama.
The pre-season contest had appeared to be heading for a goalless draw at the
Nissan Stadium, until Brazil striker Damiao headed home with just two
minutes to go.
Despite the result, however, Lampard will still have taken much from his
side's run out in searing temperatures against the J-League champions, with
midfielder Mason Mount once again catching the eye ahead of the new
campaign.
How Lampard suffered first reverse
Lampard again opted to start with Mount - who recently signed a new
five-year contract at Stamford Bridge - as part of a midfield three, and the
20-year-old impressed in a first period of few clear-cut openings.
Chelsea first-half XI
Caballero, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Zouma, Alonso, Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount,
Kenedy, Pedro, Batshuayi
However, it was the introduction of Ross Barkley as one of several half-time
changes that gave Chelsea's play some much-needed impetus in the second
half, only for Shota Arai to thwart the visitors with a number of smart
stops.
As the clock ticked down, though, the home team sensed a famous win, twice
going close when first Damiao thumped the bar five minutes from time, before
Willy Caballero - standing in for the ill Kepa Arrizabalaga - produced a
brilliant one-handed save.
Chelsea second-half XI
Caballero, Zappacosta, Luiz, Christiansen, Emerson, Kovacic, Jorginho,
Mount, Kenedy, Barkley, Giroud
But Chelsea - who brought on Christian Pulisic for his debut midway through
the second half - did not heed the warning and from the resulting corner,
Damiao was left totally unmarked at the far post to head home the winner.
Mount stakes a claim
Lampard clearly has great faith in his young charge, handing the England U21
international another start in midfield ahead of some more experienced
players.
And the 20-year-old - who spent last season playing under the Chelsea boss
while out on loan at Derby - did not let his manager down with another
assured display in midfield.
Mount's passing, running off the ball and closing down were all impressive,
with his best moment coming when he nearly opened the scoring with a
delightful curler that was only just off target at the start of the second
half.
And on his showings so far in preseason, Mount could very well have already
played his way into Chelsea's starting XI for their opening Premier League
clash at Man Utd on August 11.
Pulisic's long-waited Blues debut
Chelsea fans have been waiting some time to catch a glimpse of their new
£57.6m midfielder from Borussia Dortmund, who they signed back in the
January transfer window.
Twenty minutes into the second half at the Nissan Stadium, though, the US
international finally entered the fray to make his Blues bow in place of the
tiring Mount
However, in the short time he had on the field, the cultured Pulisic
impressed with some neat touches in his position on the right of a midfield
three.
'We were not clinical in front of goal'
Despite suffering his first loss as Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard still saw
plenty of positives in his team's performance in Yokohama.
"Obviously we want to win matches no matter what," he said after the game.
"But 10 days into preseason, having flown into Japan three days ago, brings
up a lot of difficulties for us physically.
"And that is where I was very pleased with the players today, I thought they
gave everything in strong humidity. Some good individual performances, some
people finding their fitness and form. The normal things in preseason that
take a bit of time, which is probably being clinical in front of goal, which
we were not.
"But that comes and some small details, which we will work on. So I have no
fears, I was happy with big parts of the performance."
'Zouma's a Chelsea player and I want him here'
Meanwhile, Lamaprd also spoke about Kurt Zouma's future, saying he wants the
France defender - who spent last season on loan at Everton - to stay at
Stamford Bridge this campaign.
"In terms of Kurt Zouma, he's a very good defender for us, very good player,
very good person and professional," he said.
"I want him here, simple as that. We are competitive with the centre backs
we have in the team and he had a very good season at Everton and I can
understand why they want him.
"He's a Chelsea player and I want him."
What's next?
Chelsea's remaining pre-season fixtures...
July 23: Barcelona - Saitama Stadium, Japan
July 28: Reading - Madejski Stadium
July 31: RB Salzburg - Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
August 3: Borussia Monchengladbach - Borussia Park, Germany
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