Frank Lampard on Kawasaki defeat, Kepa, Mount, Kenedy and Zouma

Frank Lampard suffered his first defeat as Chelsea boss. In their third preseason game, the Blues played in Japan, against Kawasaki Frontale. The Blues defeated with a score of 1-0. Leandro Damião from the Japanese side scored the only goal of the match in the 86th minute. Following the game, Lampard has spoken out on the performance: “Obviously we want to win matches no matter win, but 10 days into pre-season having flown into Japan three days ago brings up a lot of difficulties for us physically. That’s where I was really pleased with the players because physically they gave everything in strong humidity. “I think whether I discovered anything new today I’m not sure. I’m discovering new things every day in training and in the game today with individuals. The biggest thing I discovered was a real appetite and attitude to work in the humidity with jet lag for a lot of the players.” Mason Mount has been given his chance in the first team this season after two impressive loan spells over the past couple of seasons with Vitesse and Derby County. “I thought Mason’s performance was really good and it was a continuation of how he played for me last year and how he’s trained for me since last Friday as he’s not been with us long, but his energy and his quality... Mason’s part of the first-team squad this year and it’s time for him,” said Lampard. Kepa Arrizabalaga was out of the game, and on his and Abraham’s absence, Lampard has said: “The illnesses aren’t related. Tammy Abraham has tonsillitis and Kepa reported a stomach bug this afternoon. I’m not a doctor but I think it comes alongside what I mentioned before about flying in, a lot of players aren’t sleeping and are finding it difficult in different ways and it’s come out in those two players.” Lampard has also spoken out on Kenedy’s and Kurt Zouma’s future. “In terms of Kenedy, my feeling coming into a big squad with a transfer ban was that I need to asses the players for as long as I can in pre-season to make sure we pick a squad with me having had good eyes on them in training and in games. In terms of Kurt Zouma, he’s a very good defender for us, a very good player, a very good person and professional. I want him here, simple as that. We are competitive with the centre-backs we have in the team and he had a very good season at Everton and I can understand why they want him. He’s a Chelsea player and I want him."

Friendly Match: Kawasaki Frontale beat Chelsea. Match Highlights (VIDEO)