Chelsea’s opening salvo of fixtures was productive on the team level, but how does it stack up on the individual level? Who rose and who sank?
Keepers
Kepa Arrizabalaga, keeper, Spain: B
It is particularly hard to grade Arrizabalaga simply because he has been so untested throughout. He has shown several strong flashes of talent but overall has had little to do for the team
Willy Caballero, keeper, Argentina: C
Caballero has the one lonely start in the cup against Liverpool. It is somewhat odd he is not getting the Europa League nod which is why his grade drops. Something is amiss in his play time.
Robert Green, keeper, England: N/A
No one really expected Green to get any minutes anyways. He follows in the proud yet unrewarding tradition set by Eduardo, Marco Amelia, and many more.
Fullbacks
Marcos Alonso, left back, Spain: A
Alonso started much hotter than he finished as he involved himself in a goal a game the first few matches. After that he has taken more of a back seat role without any hiccups.
Cesar Azpilicueta, right back, Spain: B
Azpilicueta at times looks pretty uncomfortable with his new attacking function. It has yet to hurt the team a great deal but the adjustment will need to come at some point.
Emerson, left back, Italy: C
Emerson should have had more minutes already or at least made the bench in rotational games. He simply has not done enough to earn a spot. Concerning for the recently acquired left back.
Davide Zappacosta, right back, Italy: C
Few talk about leaving Chelsea as much as Zappacosta with little to no fanfare. Zappacosta’s issue is not that he is bad, just that he is incredibly average all the time. A good backup but no more.