Chelsea player ratings vs. Leicester City: Plenty of room for improvement

Pedro, Right wing: 5.5

There are two Pedro’s that exist in this world. First, the Pedro who runs around like a headless chicken seemingly without an aim in the game. The second, “bangers only” Pedro with the ability to change the face of a game in just the blink of an eye.

In the match against Leicester, the wrong Pedro turned up. As much as Pedro could have given Chelsea the lead in the opening minutes of the game, the Spaniard was otherwise ineffective for large parts of the match. With Willian and Callum Hudson-Odoi close to full fitness soon, Pedro’s inconsistencies could see him dropped to the bench.

Olivier Giroud, Striker: 6

Giroud was his usual immense self in the final third against Leicester and played a huge role in Chelsea’s opening sparks of brilliance in the first few moments of the game. However, his inability to become Chelsea’s direct source of goals meant the Blues ultimately lacked a goal scoring threat for large parts of the game.

While Giroud’s off the ball movement as well as his hold up play is almost second to none in world football, his acute lack of goal scoring prowess means Chelsea still need an answer up top.

Christian Pulisic, Left wing: 5.5

Pulisic had a decent if not spectacular outing against Leicester in the first home game of his budding Chelsea career. While he showed a similar desire to press and win the ball up high for Chelsea, Pulisic’s contributions whilst on the ball were somewhat forgettable. That is not to say he is in any sense at fault for Chelsea’s poor showings. Rather, there will be times further down the season when Chelsea would look to the American for an attacking impetus and Pulisic would do well to step up when that time comes.

However, that being said, it is still early days for Pulisic. If the fan reaction to his display is anything to go by, the American has a promising career ahead of him at the club.

Tammy Abraham, Striker, 62′: 5

In his short cameo, Abraham showcased his strength and footwork whilst on the ball, as well as his great work rate off it as a target man. However, he rarely offered anything different to Giroud given the similarities in both players’ games.

Nonetheless, in an appearance which was far more symbolic than it was tactical, considering the racial abuse he suffered over the week, Abraham’s strong cameo highlights his strength in character to overcome his penalty miss in the Super Cup.

Willian, Left wing, 71′: 4

The Brazilian’s late introduction into the game was meant as an opportunity for him to gain much needed match fitness following his month long injury in the aftermath of Brazil’s Copa America campaign. As Chelsea new No. 10, however, his 20 minute run out was also a chance for the 31-year old to impress the new man in charge and impact the game with the score at 1-1.

Even accounting for his lack of match fitness, Chelsea fans were once again left wanting by the Brazilian’s lack of solid impact on the game. From loose touches to his puzzling inability to beat the first man from a corner kick, it is safe to say the Willian fans love to hate is back for good.

Mateo Kovacic, Midfield, 71′: 5

Of all the substitutes employed by Lampard, bringing on Mateo Kovacic for Jorginho was a questionable one considering Chelsea were chasing a winner. Ross Barkley was on the bench, yet Lampard opted for a like-for-like replacement in Kovacic for Jorginho.

Nonetheless, the Croat displayed his usual talents in carrying the ball forward, although his lack of creativity and scoring ability meant that he was unable to impact the game the way Lampard would have wanted him to.