GK Guglielmo Vicario
Distribution was not great but had a good game in goal. Kept the score down and made some particularly good saves towards the end of each half. His positioning helped deal with some excellent Chelsea through balls as well. The loss today was not on Vicario. Rating: 7
RB Pedro Porro
Porro’s delivery has been a highlight this season, so it was strange to see that side of his game so poor today. Struggled to contribute going forward. Improved defensively in the second half but, like a lot of the team, couldn’t adapt to being given so little time on the ball. Rating: 4
LB Djed Spence
Like Porro, Spence was limited going forward. Was better defensively though, doing well against Neto and putting in some strong challenges, particularly towards the end of the game. Was partly at fault for the situation that led to the goal, initially dribbling inside and trying to overplay, though Micky van de Ven and Xavi Simons had opportunities to clear afterwards. Rating: 5
CB Kevin Danso
Looked indecisiveness on the ball early on, caused by Chelsea’s press, and never really adapted since. Always committed, Danso struggled to impose himself on the game as he has been able to recently. Also lost a few physical challenges, which is unusual. Not his best game at all, and we needed more. Rating: 3
CB Micky van de Ven
After his start to the season, this was not a game to remember. At fault for the goal, even if it was Simons’ weak pass that was the critical mistake, as he had two chances to clear and overplayed. Seemed to misjudge a lot of long balls. Improved when Christian Romero came on but this was a rare poor performance from Micky. Rating: 4
CM João Palhinha
Palhinha put in his usual number of strong challenges but was overrun in midfield by Caicedo in particular. Put in plenty of effort along with his tackles but struggled on the ball. Too often Palhinha looked like he wanted to get rid of the ball quickly which is another result of not dealing with the opposition press. As a result, passes seemed more hopeful than measured and gave the ball away. Rating: 4
CM Rodrigo Bentancur
Like Palinha but with less involvement in the defensive side of the game. Played the same hurried passes and looked uncomfortable in possession, which is usually a strength of his. Played a lot of the game further forward than we often see and did not seem to show the creativity needed in that role. Misjudged one ball that dropped to him in the Chelsea area from a throw that would have resulted in a good chance. Was also very fortunate not to be sent off in the first half. Rating: 3
CM Pape Matar Sarr
Our midfield was so overrun at times that it is difficult to distinguish Sarr’s performance from Bentancur’s or others as well. Plenty of running and effort but the game mostly seemed to pass him by. Once the Chelsea goal went in, Sarr found it even more difficult to get involved. Did not offer enough going forward and could not do enough defensively to stop Chelsea playing through. Has had much better games and will do again. Today was a struggle. Rating: 3
RW Mohammed Kudus
Again, our only attacker who looked likely to create something, which is becoming a worrying trend. Even Kudus was off the pace today though. Had our only chance of the game and took it well enough but saw his shot saved. Faded in the second half and needs a lot more help going forward, especially in a game like this. Rating: 5
LW Xavi Simons (for Lucas Bergvall)
Simons was a substitute but came on very early for Bergvall as a concussion sub. Again, no lack of effort from Simons but not much went right today. Found it difficult to hold on to the ball and was too easily knocked off when in possession. The vision, ability, and awareness to create chances is there but Simons was again not able to impose himself on the game in which to do so. An example being an excellent stepover in the second half to beat his man, only to then be knocked off the ball (fairly) and lose possession straight after. Rating: 3
CF Randal Kolo Muani
Improved from last week’s performance at Everton, Muani still found it difficult. Was able to hold up the ball a bit more than we have seen before and had a good run in the first half which led to the Kudus chance. We didn’t see much more of Muani after that though, and our attack has looked very short recently from open play. Rating: 3
Substitutes: Richarlison, Destiny Udogie, Christian Romero, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert
Richarlison and Romero improved us a little when they came on. Richarlison did not have any chances to equalize but did bring others into play more successfully than we have seen at other times this season. Romero looked much more assured at the back than anyone else and was probably our best outfield player on the day, despite only coming on after an hour. Johnson, Odobert, and Udogie did not get into the game at all, though they were not alone in that respect. Johnson still seems to want to cross the ball low into the box anytime he gets free, regardless of whether there are teammates in there or not. This playing the ball too quickly was a habit that the whole team showed today. Ratings: Richarlison (5), Destiny Udogie (3), Christian Romero (6) Brennan Johnson (3), Wilson Odobert (3)