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Perhaps this was Frank Lampard’s way of showing that he is not an enthusiastic coach. His first goalless draw since becoming Chelsea manager came under difficult circumstances, built on a rare display of defensive solidity to keep Sevilla at bay. Chelsea stood firm to deny the Spanish, who had the best chances in a tight match, and Lampard was able to feel satisfied with the way his neurotic side kept order, refusing to let the game slip away against opponents who were leading his concentration to the limit. .
Thiago Silva’s return to central defense helped, sowing calm and keeping Kurt Zouma focused, and Édouard Mendy impressed in goal, making a couple of important saves. But while there were no defensive calamities from Chelsea, there was very little inspiration at the other end. With little creativity and fluidity in possession, this was confirmation that Chelsea’s expensive attack takes time to develop rhythm and understanding.
In the end, a draw with a team as uncomfortable as Sevilla was not the worst way for Chelsea to open their Champions League campaign. The Europa League winners brought all their European know-how to West London and could have won if they had shown more conviction. Chelsea was happy not to be surprised.
“I was pleased with that professional element,” Lampard said. “Sevilla is a first class team. The concentration that is needed in the Champions to obtain a result was great on the part of the team. I thought there were a lot of good decisions tonight. It is a positive result ”.
Later, however, the lines of communication were broken too many times. Christian Pulisic wasted on the right flank and Kai Havertz, the 62 million pound signing from Bayer Leverkusen, was in and out. Only Timo Werner threatened, but he was too isolated at the front, chasing hopeful long balls as a result of Lampard’s desire to keep him tight at the rear.
Chelsea seemed fragmented; unable to link from front to back, with N’Golo Kanté and Jorginho outclassed in midfield at times. Still, they did well to stay focused. With Julen Lopetegui’s instructions echoing in the empty arena, Sevilla enjoyed the competitive challenge. The Spaniards were disciplined and organized, strong on the tackle and quick on the fumbles, and their pressure led to errors from Chelsea, especially when Jorginho earned a yellow card for dragging Lucas Ocampos after being robbed by the Sevilla winger.
Jorginho was on thin ice. The Italian might be a smart passer, but regaining possession is not his strong suit and he was fortunate not to receive a second caution after stumbling across Ivan Rakitic. Chelsea came close to conceding the resulting free kick, only for Mendy to reject a header from the unmarked Sergi Gomez.
Chelsea were relieved that Mendy, their £ 22m signing from Rennes, had recovered from a thigh injury to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga. But Sevilla was making the decisions. Rakitic, eager to show that he still has a lot to offer after his arrival from Barcelona, was finding too much space.
Chelsea, who had previously come as a surprise by appointing their technical and performance advisor Petr Cech to their Premier League squad to provide emergency cover for the goalkeeper, ceded territory. Sevilla probed, Suso headed out, and the breakthrough almost came as Zouma’s failed punt fell on Ocampos, who saw a steady shot well handled by Mendy.
Cech would have approved of that save, but Chelsea was being forced back. His attacking players saw little of the ball and it was difficult not to question Lampard’s use of Pulisic on the right hand side given that the American generally thrives on the opposite side.
There were occasional glimpses of Chelsea. Werner was a live wire: fast, slippery and always looking for a shooting opportunity. The forward had Chelsea’s best chance in the first half, shooting straight at Bono, and also teamed up with Reece James to create an early start for Pulisic.
Sevilla was strong behind, despite the fact that Jules Koundé was not in central defense after testing positive for Covid-19. They remained difficult to break even as Fernando retired from midfield after Gomez limped away. Chelsea needed a different approach and Lampard tried to make them less predictable, telling Mason Mount, Havertz and Pulisic to alternate positions in offensive midfield.
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Chelsea, who was looking to unleash their attack by introducing Hakim Ziyech for Mount, moved early in the second half. Zouma headed straight for Bono from a Ben Chilwell corner and Werner walked over. However, Sevilla kept pressing. Chilwell struggled to block Suso on the right and the visitors almost broke through with a clever set-piece routine, Rakitic spilling a corner to the far post for Joan Jordán to volley to the top of the net.
However, Chelsea remained calm, with Silva guiding them to safety. They took the
spot and a rare clean sheet. For Lampard, however, the search for balance
happens.
