Chelsea’s starting XIII: Player ratings for the starting Blues and Rams
By George Perry
Cesc Fabregas, midfielder: 7
Fabregas scored the winning goal and played his usual role in midfield, for which he earns above-average marks. But for all the good he did, he seemed very much stuck between two systems: the first being everything he knows, and the second being Sarrismo. No one expected him to replicate Jorginho’s instinctive one-touch passing, but he did not seem certain about whether he should be building up possession or searching out the Fabregas-ian pass to a forward making a run. Again, if Fabregas had more match time to refine his role in this system he would surely find his niche. But it’s hard to see that happening. He’s not Jorginho, and Sarri does not seem to want him in the pure playmaker role. So now what?
N’Golo Kante, midfielder: 6.5
There was no real reason for Kante to start this match, but he did and it’s better that he did. Derby County’s midfield dominated Chelsea’s midfield and defence, applying smart pressure and passing their way through the Blues’ lines. Kante was enough to prevent them from getting too far and too comfortable, as if it were solely up to the Frenchman to remind the Rams that this is a Premier League team.
Mason Mount, Derby County, midfielder: 7.5
If Maurizio Sarri spent the whole night watching Mason Mount instead of his own players, he may be in a better mood. But we know he didn’t, and every store in west London is probably out of Bensons right now. Mount, though, showed why he has such top billing amongst the loan army. He put Cesc Fabregas in his crosshairs, not giving Fabregas any extra time on the ball but also not committing himself in a way that a player like Fabregas can easily sidestep. Mount used intelligence and timing to press and cover passing lanes, rather than just running from place to place trying to do it all. He ended the night with an assist and two shots.
Mateo Kovacic, midfielder: 6.5
Kovacic looks, runs, even scampers like Eden Hazard, and wears Hazard’s first Chelsea number – No. 17 – to boot. At times, the similarities go even further, particularly when the two are on the pitch together. They weren’t against Derby, and Kovacic was just another midfielder unsure of how to protect the defence and where to best support the offence.