Chelsea legend Joe Cole says having new signings Edouard Mendy, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva back in the side makes a massive difference to their defence.
Frank Lampard’s side have come in for heavy criticism following some dubious defensive displays.
But the Blues kept a clean sheet in a much-improved performance against Sevilla in their Champions League opener
“They got it right tonight,” Cole said on BT Sport. “If you are going to win games you need to keep clean sheets. You have to do the ugly things and defenders have to get back in.
“Mendy was excellent. Having Chilwell, Silva and Mendy in this team – three new signings – makes such a difference. With them in the team I think you will start seeing more clean sheets.
“The whole team were engaged as a unit. It’s a credit to Frank and the coaching staff because they have seen it as problem, have addressed it and I think they will move on from it. Tonight, things were addressed.”
Lampard was full of praise for Silva, who did not put a foot wrong at the heart of the Blues defence.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Lampard said: “I thought he was very good. I spoke about quality and experience before the game and he brought both of those and that affects others around him.
“He was a big plus in terms of us getting a clean sheet.”