There were no shortage of Chelsea number eight shirts making their way to the Madejski Stadium but very few were in honour of Ross Barkley.
Most of them were worn in tribute to Frank Lampard on a day when he took charge of his first game as manager on home soil.
After a win and a draw in the Republic of Ireland, followed by a win and a defeat in Japan a pre-season friendly at Reading offered the first glimpse of Lampard’s Chelsea for the match-going supporters.
More than 2,000 made the short trip down the M4 from West London to see how their hero was progressing with only two weeks until the Premier League campaign starts at Manchester United.
They saw Reading take the lead in the first half through Josh Barrett but Chelsea hit back, inspired by a brilliant curling free-kick by Barkley.
The England midfielder inherited Lampard’s number when he arrived at Stamford Bridge in January 2018 and shares some of his attributes.
He is strong and robust, with an ability to threaten the goal from deep and yet he has been unable to make a convincing case for a permanent role at Chelsea.
His first six months were blighted by the injury which delayed his exit from Everton and the feeling Antonio Conte never really wanted him or, having been presented with him, could find no role for him in the 3-4-3 system he used.
Last season under Maurizio Sarri went by in a bizarre job share with Mateo Kovacic where whoever had started the game would make way for the other on the left-side of a three-man midfield.
He has only started 15 games in the Premier League for Chelsea.
Under Lampard at least the team is set up in a system which might eke out a little more of Barkley’s talent, operating centrally, in support of the centre-forward in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
In Japan, Mason Mount started both games in this playmaker’s role, looked bright and creative and earned effusive praise from his manager.
Lampard has made it clear he has faith in 20-year-old Mount, who sparkled while with him on loan at Derby last season, considers him part of the first-team squad and will offer him chances once the season opens.
At Reading, however, there were starting opportunities for those who featured less in Japan and it was Barkley who made the strongest case.
The 25-year-old equalised with a wonderful free-kick after a foul on Olivier Giroud and created a good chance for the France striker.
Giroud ought to have scored but planted his header wide.
Kenedy gave Chelsea a half-time lead when he found the net from distance.
Lampard made 10 changes at the interval - only goalkeeper Willy Caballero survived – and changed the shape to use a midfield diamond behind two strikers, Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi.
Reading levelled at 2-2 when a corner from Charlie Adam was tapped in at the back-post by Mark Morrison before Mount restored Chelsea’s lead, bursting into the penalty area and firing a firm shot past Sam Walker.
Mount, starting on the left of the midfield diamond and later switching to the right side, scored his second to punish a mistake by goalkeeper Walker and make it 4-2 to the visitors.
If he and Barkley are competing for one place in Lampard’s team on the opening day at Old Trafford, it was the perfect response.
Mount cannot offer the physical presence of Barkley but he is bright and inventive and also capable of scoring as he proved at the Madjeski Stadium.
Lampard is rolling through some of his options as he searches for the best way to replace the goals and assists of Eden Hazard.
He will look at his three centre-forwards to shoulder the responsibility but the attacking midfielders will be expected to contribute.
The displays by Barkley and Mount will offer the manager some encouragement.
At the same time, he will be aware that by loosening the ties in midfield and giving them a licence to attack, Chelsea were often vulnerable in defence.
Reading, one week closer to the start of their season, reduced the deficit through Sam Baldock.
Lampard, however, will be satisfied with another victory, plenty of goals and can keep working on the right formula.
Next up for Chelsea, Red Bull Salzburg in Austria on Wednesday.