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Frank Lampard’s Chelsea will provide a stern test for Barcelona

And so it begins again!

A week after pre-season started in earnest, Barca have travelled to Japan for the delights of the Rakuten Cup, with Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side their first test of the 19/20 campaign.

Without many of their most experienced exponents, Ernesto Valverde will at least be able to run the rule over some fringe and Barca B players, and with that in mind, the west Londoners are likely to provide a stern test.

Lampard’s appointment has raised a few eyebrows, but there are parallels with Pep Guardiola being handed the reins at the Camp Nou back in 2008.