Match 5 of Chelsea’s pre season campaign saw 7 goals and a lot of points for Frank Lampard to discuss and work on going into the new season.Goals from Kenedy, Ross Barkley and a Mason Mount double ensured a third win out of five for the blues, who played an impressive and plucky Reading side, who start their championship campaign in 6 days.

First Half
Chelsea started with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Caballero, the captain for the day, in goal, a back four of Zappacosta, Christensen, Tomori and Alonso, the double pivot consisted of Drinkwater and Bakayoko with Kenedy, Barkley and new boy Pulisic in front. Olivier Giroud led the line in an unexpected weaker lineup with many expecting Lampard to start finalising his ideal 11 for Manchester United on the opening day. The first 20 minutes were poor from the blues however, struggling to find players between the lines, with Bakayoko especially being sloppy on the ball. The opening goal came on the 13th minute as Barrett found space on the left and when his blocked shot came back to him, he sent a looping volley over the helpless Caballero. Chelsea improved after the set back, wasting a couple of opportunities before Ross Barkley lifted a beautiful free kick into the top left corner, which was the start of a superb display from the England international who looks to be excelling in this more advanced role. The blues went into the break ahead due to a 25 yard potshot from Kenedy which was parried poorly Into his own net by Reading new acquisition Joao Virginia. Andreas Christensen had some impressive one versus one dual victories and remained solid throughout the half, staking his claim for a starting berth against Manchester United.

Second Half
10 changes were made at the start of the second half, with Willy Caballero being the only player to emerge from the tunnel. Azpilicueta, Zouma, Luiz and Emerson were the new look defence, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Pedro, Batshuayi, Abraham also entered the fray. These substitutions allowed the coaching staff to change formations, opting with a 4-4-2 diamond, with Jorginho at the base and Pedro at the point, these two formations have been favoured by Lampard who also has a 4-3-3 at his disposal. Just like the first half, Chelsea started slowly and had already conceded before 5 minutes had passed as another new Royals recruit Michael Morrison had tapped in after being left free from a corner. However, just like the first half, the goal conceded by Chelsea spurred them into life as a quick fire double from youth starlet Mason Mount put them 2 goals ahead on the hour mark. The first was a firm strike that his former Chelsea youth teammate Sam Walker couldn’t keep out, whereas the second was all due to the blues pressing from the front and forcing a mistake which Mount was more than obliged to pounce on. The London’s side quality shone throughout the rest of the second half and were mostly dominant however Reading had the last laugh, as Sam Baldock pounced on a mistake in the middle to finish past a stunned Jamie Cumming, who had been brought on a few minutes prior. The match came to a quiet end, with the fans getting fantastic value for money and enjoying the short journey back up the M3. Frank Lampard will want to make sure his Chelsea side aren’t so vulnerable when the season comes around, especially from set plays where the Berkshire side had a lot of joy.

Chelsea take-aways
Frank Lampard certainly has some positives to take away from this game, however the defensive problems will be a major concern. Reading created chances in each half and were exposing Chelsea in the full back and central areas. Both centre back partnerships struggled at times to deal with attack of Reading, especially Fikayo Tomori who was bullied at times by Yakou Meite and maybe showed why Frank Lampard is looking to loan him out to gain some vital Premier League experience. With the first league game in under two weeks, the centre back partnership remains unknown and could cause the management the biggest headache.
Ross Barkley and Mason Mount are also causing Lampard a headache, however this one is a good one as they have been by far the stand out performers so far. Finding a system that will allow both to start may be tricky, but they’re providing chances as well as contributing with goals, 5 combined so far. With Ruben Loftus-Cheek to come back as well it will be a fight between the three Englishmen to see who can nail down that final midfield spot.
Finally Frank Lampard has some decisions to make when it comes down to cutting the squad further as some poor performances today may have made the decision easier that it originally seemed. Timeoue Bakayoko put in yet another toothless performance, something that has become all too familiar in a blues shirt which surely means he will either be sold or loaned. Danny Drinkwater was improved today however the only reason he will stay around is due to the nationality on his passport. Kenedy was the most impressive and has staked a claim to stay, however a loan move looks likely with Chelsea already having four wingers and Mason Mount who can fill the two positions available. David’s Zappacosta also looks set to leave Stamford Bridge, brought in as a wing back, it’s looking more and more evident he won’t fit Franks plans for the forthcoming season.

Player Ratings: Caballero(5), Zappacosta(5), Christensen(7), Tomori(5), Alonso(5), Bakayoko(4), Drinkwater(6), Kenedy(7), Barkley(8), Pulisic(6), Giroud(6)

Cumming(5), Azpilicueta(6), Zouma(5), Luiz(6), Emerson(5), Jorginho(7), Kovacic(7), Mount(9), Pedro(6), Abraham(5), Batshuayi(6)