Blues lastly discover a centre-forward in £31m Jackson, whereas Premier League defenders ought to concern Mudryk, however Pochettino nonetheless has work to do: THINGS WE LEARNED as Chelsea beat Brighton 4-3

Chelsea emerged victorious by the odd aim in seven as they and Brighton performed out a thriller within the opening match of the Premier League Summer season Sequence.

Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE was on the Lincoln Monetary Area in Philadelphia to deliver you his 5 speaking factors…

MAUR TO DO FOR POCH…

To say that Mauricio Pochettino has work to do at Chelsea is like claiming Santa Claus might be busy on Christmas Eve. 4 of his starters had by no means performed competitively for the membership, whereas the bench contained a number of names who would hardly be recognized to anybody exterior of West London.

It was Brighton who regarded the higher of the perimeters within the first half, earlier than a raft of second-half substitutions and the dismissal of Seagulls defender Jan Paul van Hecke at 1-1. He was proven a second yellow card for a barge on Cesare Casadei that nearly left the younger Italian within the first row of the principle stand.

Chelsea emerged victorious from a seven-goal thriller towards Brighton in Philadelphia 

Regardless of the 4-3 win, it was clear new Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino has work to do on the membership

And regardless of Chelsea’s victory – they have been wonderful going ahead towards 10 males at occasions – this recreation nonetheless underlined the scale of the duty Pochettino has inherited. You solely had to take a look at the team-sheet to be taught that a lot. They continue to be terribly gentle in midfield particularly, the place solely Conor Gallagher was a senior starter – and there had been speak of him leaving the membership this summer time. Not now. In equity, Gallagher did properly and his vitality, tidy distribution and aim have been an enormous constructive for Pochettino. He wants a lot extra of these earlier than Chelsea have any probability of reclaiming their place within the prime six of the Premier League, by no means thoughts the highest 4.

JACK’S THE LAD…

A kind of positives already seems to be like being £31million striker Nicolas Jackson, who arrived from Villarreal this summer time. He has 4 assists over two friendlies and obtained his first aim for the Blues right here.

You knew he was by no means going to overlook when sprang clear by Marc Cucurella, given he had simply laid on targets for fellow substitute Mykhailo Mudryk and Gallagher. He completed with a assured clip past the goalkeeper and was duly confirmed by the stadium PA as man-of-the-match. It was deserved. The Senegalese seems to be fast, skillful and has a particular swagger. Have Chelsea lastly discovered a centre-forward?

£31million striker Nicolas Jackson impressed after arriving from Villarreal this summer time

AND ONE MORE…

Mudryk scored his first for the membership, a brilliant volley after twice swapping passes with Jackson, and he regarded electrical throughout his 45 minutes on the pitch. There was one run to catch the ball because it ran away to the by-line that felt as if he had turbo boosters in his boots. It was a daunting present of tempo that drew gasps from the gang. It’s Premier League defenders who must be drawing breath in anticipation of arising towards the Ukrainian this season.

NO MO, NO GO?

Moises Caicedo was ignored of the Brighton aspect amid a proposed transfer to Chelsea. Roberto De Zerbi insists it was as a result of the midfielder has solely skilled for a few days, however his involvement was by no means possible given talks between the golf equipment stay stay.

Brighton have made it clear they need £100m and De Zerbi steered on Friday that, have been Chelsea to incorporate Levi Colwill as a part of the deal, then there may very well be progress. The centre-back spent final season on mortgage at Brighton and De Zerbi would like to have him again completely.

Saying that, he gave away a late penalty right here with a slipshod problem and was a part of a defence that conceded 3 times. It wasn’t his greatest outing, but Pochettino nonetheless claimed afterwards that the 20-year-old might turn out to be certainly one of England’s biggest centre-backs, while insisting he needs to maintain him at Stamford Bridge. That might not look like useful for his or her possibilities of touchdown Caicedo.

Mykhailo Mudryk confirmed a daunting present of tempo that drew gasps from the gang

Moises Caicedo was ignored of the Brighton aspect amid a proposed transfer to Chelsea

FINANCIAL GAINS…

Individuals do have a method of creating their huge stadiums way more characterful than these within the UK. Lincoln Monetary Area – the 68,000-seater residence of NFL franchise Philadelphia Eagles – has a novel, nearly octagonal design, full with quirky balconies overlooking the pitch in two of its corners. Town skyline can be seen between two of the stands, and that provides splendidly to the allure.

Examine this place to Wembley, or lots of the different mass bowls which are all too commonplace when new stadiums are inbuilt Europe, and there is just one winner. ‘The Linc’ is about to host a World Cup quarter-final in 2026 and that guarantees to be some event. It additionally makes you surprise simply how good the venues have to be for the semis and last.