Chelsea have exercised their spending power in this transfer window, and have signed several first-team players, who will play a key role in the 2020-21 Premier League season. The Blues will travel to the Amex Stadium to play Brighton in their first fixture of the season, which will take place on Monday night.
Brighton will be no pushovers as manager Graham Potter has built a young and exciting side that could throw up a surprise or two. The Seagulls have also brought in a few players, including some experienced ones, and have also retained some of their key players from last season.
Let’s take a look at the five players to watch out for when Brighton host Chelsea:
Brighton vs Chelsea: 5 players to watch out for
#1 Timo Werner
The player that all Chelsea fans are eager to watch is striker Timo Werner. The German comes with big expectations as he shone at his previous club, RB Leipzig.
The forward will most likely start as the central striker for the Blues, and could try to exploit the gaps in the Brighton defence with his pace and dribbling ability.
Werner will most likely be up against a three-man central defence, which will be a stern test for him on Monday. However, Brighton will not sit back and will try to play out from the back, so Werner will have his openings.
#2 Adam Lallana
Brighton’s most prominent addition in the transfer window is that of Adam Lallana, who signed with the club on a free transfer after his Liverpool contract expired.
The Englishman will be one of the three midfielders in the Brighton midfield, and will most likely be the furthest forward, with Potter likely giving him a free role to roam and create chances.
Lallana’s work-rate, vision and creativity could be a threat to Chelsea, who leaked goals last season.
#3 Lewis Dunk
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk has been at the club for more than a decade after coming through the ranks and helping the side from League One to the Premier League.
He was linked with a move to Chelsea, after his fantastic performances with the Seagulls, but he decided to stay with his hometown club.
Dunk, who is a strong, physical centre-back, will lead the backline, and he will have to bring his “A” game to help his side get points. He will be up against an agile Chelsea attack, so he can ill-afford to make any mistakes.
#4 Kai Havertz
The other exciting attacking signing for Chelsea is another German, Kai Havertz. The attacking midfielder, who could start behind his compatriot Werner in the Chelsea team on Monday, will be a threat with his dribbling, speed, and impressive passing.
Havertz could help Chelsea unlock the Brighton defence, if he starts on Monday night. His goal-scoring caught the attention last season, but his creativity in the attacking third is also exceptional.
If he can develop further, Chelsea will have a complete attacker on their books.
#5 N’Golo Kante
While Chelsea have riches in attack, their sparkling football could be undone by poor defending. Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante will be as important as Havertz, Werner, and co. on Monday night.
The Frenchman struggled with injuries last season, and could only make 22 Premier League appearances.
With the Blues defence being their weak link, Kante will have to provide the insurance cover to the backline and ensure that Chelsea walk away with all points come Monday.