Champions League: Chelsea Boss Frank Lampard Comforted By Clean Sheet In Sevilla Stalemate

ISLAMABAD, October 21 (online): Frank Lampard admitted he was happy to take a point and a clean sheet from Chelsea’s goalless Champions League opener against Sevilla after so much criticism of his side’s defensive capabilities. Edouard Mendy returned from injury to replace the error-strewn Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal, but the Senegal international was rarely troubled in an uninspiring match far from the chaos that has characterised the early weeks of the Premier League season.

Chelsea have contributed to that with two 3-3 draws in their opening five games, including at home to Southampton on Saturday when they blew the lead twice.

But Lampard pointed to personnel issues in getting many of his signings from a 220 million pound ($284 million) spending spree on the pitch together for Chelsea’s slow start to the season.

The Blues have now won just two of their opening six games of the campaign, but looked far more solid with Thiago Silva back in the side as one of five new signings in the starting line-up.

“He was very good today. He brought quality and experience and affected others around him and that was a big part of us getting a clean sheet,” Lampard said of the veteran Brazilian centre-back.