Chelsea player ratings: Azpilicueta,Tomori kept the door open for Batshuayi

Jorginho, Midfielder: 8

Jorginho had one of his best performances at Chelsea, perhaps because he let the game come to him instead of trying to force feed his own weird ideas to the game. He barely pointed and shouted. In fact, he made a very sharp interception (his first of three) before his first point-and-shout sequence of the game.

Jorginho read Ajax remarkably well, putting himself in their passing lanes and covering his teammates on defence to ensure Ajax did not have easy routes through the midfield. He and Mateo Kovacic played covering roles for those around them, filling in gaps and backing up whoever needed it. Kovacic, as would be expected, drove forward more than Jorginho and this played to both of their strengths and weaknesses.

Along the lines of what we said on Tuesday, Jorginho may be finding that the best way to succeed in a team or league is to meet it on their terms, not your own.

Mateo Kovacic, Midfielder: 8.5

Mateo Kovacic is doing more to help Chelsea compensate for N’Golo Kante’s protracted absence than anyone else.

Kovacic covered as much of the midfield as Kante would, not harassing and dispossessing the opponent as much as Kante but certainly putting himself where the team and the play need him most. He was just as likely to be deep on the right side of the midfield supporting Cesar Azpilicueta as driving up the left side towards the attacking line between Marcos Alonso and Mason Mount. He was significantly stronger than his opposite numbers at Ajax, allowing him to interrupt and intercept their movement and take advantage of the sometimes too lenient referee.

It’s hard to see Kovacic making way for Kante upon the latter’s return. A Kovacic – Kante midfield pair could allow the centrebacks to make their offensive contributions as freely as they desire without compromising the Blues at the back, which is a truly delicious prospect.

Mason Mount, Midfielder: 8

Mount had one of Chelsea’s best chances early in the game, forcing a diving save by Andre Onana at his near post. Similar to Saturday’s game at Newcastle, Mount is finding perfect shooting positions and his teammates know how to get the ball to him. If he can start putting the ball just a bit further away from the keeper he will be a regular source of goals.

Something worth watching in Mount’s play is how well he takes the ball across his body from any angle and either side. His Lampard-esque scanning ensures he always knows where the opponents’ players are, so as the ball is coming towards him he knows if he should take it on the turn, move towards it, open his body to let it come across him or whatever else. He is shielding the ball while it is still en route, which gives him an immediate advantage when he takes his first touch. It’s similar to how Callum Hudson-Odoi creates separation so well when taking his first touch. Mount’s skill is creating protection for the ball with his body angles.