Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech’s Chelsea debuts rated by Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard has hailed both Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech following their impressive performances on their debuts in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday.

Both players were involved as the Blues opened the scoring after just three minutes, with Ziyech – who has joined the club from Ajax – playing a delightful ball to Callum Hudson-Odoi, who knocked it down for Werner to finish and get his first goal in a Chelsea shirt since signing from RB Leipzig.

Although the Seagulls equalised through a last minute Pascal Gross penalty Lampard appeared satisfied with what he saw from his side, and reserved special praise for his new signings.

“I thought Timo was really sharp and bright,” said Lampard.

“He got his goal really early in the game, he showed some of the qualities that I know very well he has so I am very excited about having him in the squad.

“I thought his work rate and everything about him was a great little start for him and Hakim Ziyech the same, some of his contributions and passing and quality levels were great.

“He has a bit of a knock on his knee, a little bit of a small twist which we will have to assess, hopefully it is not too bad, but in the performances they were both really good.”

Chelsea will start the new season full of confidence following a transfer window which has seen them make a number of impressive signings, with defenders Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva following Ziyech and Werner through the door.

And Lampard added: “It was a good workout for us. It was a tough fixture for us because we have only been back training this week, Brighton have been training longer.

“For the players, the fitness level we are striving for before, now a lot go away on internationals, so it was part of our pre-season plans as such.

“I thought the first half was bright and fresh considering where we are at with those levels, against a good team, so it is not so much the result, we obviously want to win every game, but to see individuals getting fitter, the collective as a team, it was a pretty good day for us.”