Chelsea put up a solid showing last night as they best Gent 4-2 in their first Uefa Europa Conference League game at Stamford Bridge.
Renato Veiga, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Drewsbury-Hall were all on the score sheet yesterday for the Blues in what was a very impressive showing in front of the home fans. Which other Blues were as impressive last night? Let’s see.
Filip Jörgensen (GK): It was a heavily rotated Chelsea starting xi yesterday with Jörgensen in goal in the place of club number 1, Robert Sanchez. Jörgensen was hardly tested throughout the game but was very good with his distribution from his box, playing a key part in Chelsea’s build up on several occasions.
Conceded two goals but there was nothing he could do about those goals anyway, well worked goals from a Gent perspective. 6/10
Axel Disasi (RB) (C): Starting in place of fellow Frenchman Malo Gusto at right-back last night and also captaining the side, Disasi held his own for a large part of the 90 defensively and offensively.
A beautiful pass to Pedro Neto to claim an assist at the start of the second half but would have been a lot happier with a clean-sheet against the level of opposition faced. 7/10
Tosin Adarabioyo (CB): Giant of a centre-half. The 27-year old was one of the organisers and leaders of a relatively young Chelsea side last night and he did put on a solid showing as well.
Finding passing lanes and runners with his accurate passing, and helping Chelsea beat the press on several occasions. Tosin’s front food defending and aerial abilities also came in handy in preventing some Gent attacks. 6.5/10
Benoit Badiashile (CB): Partnered Tosin at centre-back but tactically charged with being a left-back on the ball, the Frenchman had a pretty solid first half especially on the ball as he helped Chelsea sustain pressure on a high line alongside Tosin and Disasi with some brilliant ball retention and passing. However, Badiashile looked kind of shaky off the ball and was looked positionally unaware at times.
Failed to keep a clean sheet and was largely at fault for Gent’s second goal as he wasn’t on par with his teammates on y offside trap. 5/10
Renato Veiga (LB): The 21-year old Portuguese defender/midfielder will be buzzing after getting his first goal for Chelsea last night.
Apart from the goal, Veiga was exceptional both offensively and defensively, inverting into midfield most times as an attacking midfielder. There’s also an assist to his credit for Nkunku’s goal and the two goals conceded is the only dent to what could have been a perfect performance from the Portuguese. 8/10
Cesare Casedei (DM): Trusted by Countryman and his last season’s manager on loan at Leicester City, Enzo Maresca to start last night, Cesare Casedei hardly put a foot wrong.
Combining with the centre-backs in build-up phases, linking the defense and attack, helping to sustain the attacking tempo, the youngster was very instrumental in Chelsea’s win last night. 6.5/10
Kiernan Drewsbury-Hall (CM): Got a rare opportunity to start last night and boy did he take it. Got his first Chelsea goal as well.
Drewsbury-Hall looked solid in what seemed like a box to box role and his goal was simply a reward for the solid shift he put in last night. 7.5/10
Joao Felix (AM): Overall, it wasn’t one of Felix’s best performances last night but it was a decent showing from the Portuguese in the first half. He helped defensively and was also instrumental in getting Chelsea out of tight spaces but his performance in the second half left a lot more to be desired.
The only starting attacker without a goal contribution last night, João Felix has not forced Enzo Maresca into making a tough decision on whether he keeps his starting berth for Chelsea’s next premier league game against Nottingham Forest. 6/10.
Pedro Neto (RW): A constant threat on the right wing, Pedro Neto had a solid showing last night. Always looked to force the issue offensively down that flank for Chelsea, tracked back effectively as well, and got rewarded with a goal at the start of the second half. A performance that adds to Enzo Maresca’s selection problems in attack. 7/10
Mykhailo Mudryk (LW): Definitely one of Chelsea’s best players on the night. Provided the cross for the opening goal, and was electric throughout the 90, constantly twisting, turning, running at defenders and putting in dangerous crosses.
Last night’s performance was one of Mudryk’s best in a Chelsea shirt and he was unlucky not to get on the score sheet. 7.5/10
Christopher Nkunku (CF): It was a relatively quiet game for the Frenchman last night but he showed why he is a true goalscorer with his goal in the second half, emerging out of nowhere in the box to smash home his seventh goal of the season across all competitions to become the Blues leading scorer this season. 7/10
Marc Guiu (Substitute): Replaced Christopher Nkunku late in the second half. Struggled to really influence the game within the little time he had on the pitch. Wasn’t an easy game for the centre-forwards, was it? 4/10
Tyrique George (Substitute): Came on to replace Pedro Neto on Chelsea’s right flank. No big moments in the game but his dribbles, press-resistance and skills did catch the eye. 5/10