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Chelsea player ratings, as if any rating or data can describe Eden Hazard

By George Perry

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Midfield

9. Antonio Conte is the master of bringing a player back into the lineup. Conte gave Moses 15 minutes to shake off the rust against Swansea City, and rust there was. Layers of rust. Another manager may have questioned Moses’ readiness (as we did, but clearly we’re not the manager), but Conte knew what Moses needed and that Moses was ready. Moses not only played right wing-back as effectively as last season, he finally connected on a blistering cross that Alvaro Morata headed in for the go-ahead. He still needs to prove himself against better teams, but this was a significant 90 minutes. <p><strong>The assist was his first on a headed goal since September 29, 2014, when he linked up with Peter Crouch while on loan at Stoke City.</strong></p>. 15. Italy. VICTOR MOSES

9. With Newcastle having so little possession and so little threat, N’Golo Kante involved himself even more than usual with the passing game. He linked the play between the defenders, Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas and the forwards, always knowing just where to distribute the ball to keep the play moving. Slightly different dimension from Kante, and one that Danny Drinkwater may unlock. <p><strong>Three tackles, three interceptions.</strong></p>. 7. France. N'GOLO KANTE

Chelsea rarely needed a “midfield line” to fend off Newcastle, so Cesc Fabregas stayed closer to the forwards or Victor Moses than N’Golo Kante or Danny Drinkwater. As he has in recent games against similarly-situated opposition, he had plenty of time and space to do his thing. It was almost overkill having him out there. <p><strong>Led Chelsea with four key passes, seven accurate crosses and four… tackles? That’s what WhoScored says.</strong></p>. 4. Spain. CESC FABREGAS. 7

6. England. DANNY DRINKWATER. 9. Danny Drinkwater showed exactly why Antonio Conte wanted him. Drinkwater expands the defintion of midfield to include just about everything other than the six-yard box. He single-handedly executed Chelsea’s best press in the 3-5-2. He played as far forward as Alvaro Morata when Chelsea brought the game up. On counter-attacks he would drive into Newcastle’s box looking for the chance to shoot from 15 yards. He timed his runs to get on the end of long passes, played a one-two with Eden Hazard and would still scrap for balls deep in his own zone. A compelling performance. <p><strong>His first complete game at Chelsea.</strong></p>

Spain. MARCOS ALONSO. 7. Marcos Alonso redeemed himself after gifting Newcastle the opening goal. He continues his search for a productive role in the 3-5-2, and has the good fortune (Chelsea’s risk and occasional misfortune) to have no one breathing down his neck to replace him at left wing-back. Sooner or later, Antonio Conte will have to rest him before he is injured or commits a bigger mistake against a bigger opponent. When is the next Carabao Cup match? <p><strong>Three interceptions, same as N’Golo Kante to lead the Blues.</strong></p>. 3

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