Chelsea player ratings: Jorginho, Willian and two Lamps’ engineer win
By Hugo Amaya
Willian, Forward: 8.9
Is it the threat of Jadon Sancho coming in? Is it the confidence that Frank Lampard has given him? Or is it the lack of pressure on him this season?
Who knows, but Willian has been outstanding lately. He runs up and down the field to recover the ball and create the attack. He shifts towards the center to distribute the ball and assists when needed. Should he have scored, he would have earned a perfect 10 at the Emirates.
Tammy Abraham, Striker: 8.5
He doesn’t score against the big six? Chelsea’s No. 9 is cursed? He isn’t good enough? We do not think so.
Abraham completed the comeback by scoring a composed goal in front of goal. Most strikers would panic and would have tried to hit the ball first time. But Abraham took his time, touched the ball forward and scored through the legs of the Arsenal keeper. Despite not having many chances Abraham kept a cool head to win Chelsea the final game of the decade.
Mason Mount, Forward: 7.5
Arsenal knew how important Mason Mount is for Chelsea and opted for a game plan to shut him down. And for a good while, they did.
But as any good player should, he found a way to make himself useful to the team. He supported the attack on the wings and made things difficult for the Arsenal defense. He never had any real opportunity to score, but he put the team above himself and helped as much as he could on the right-hand side.
Jorginho, Midfield (34′): 8.5
Without a doubt the difference between the two teams in the middle of the park. He commanded everyone around him and made sure to move the ball quickly to disturb Arsenal’s equilibrium. Jorginho almost got sent off, but with some luck and determination, he turned the tables and basically won the game for the Blues.
Tariq Lamptey, Right back (58′): 7.5
Man, oh man. If this is any indication of what the future holds for Chelsea, everyone, hold on to your seats. Tariq Lamptey came on looking a little intimidated, and who wouldn’t be? But in an instant, he made a run forward and almost provided an assist to Abraham. He was direct and kept things simple. He covered the needed spaces so the Arsenal offense wouldn’t have much room to run. He was available to receive the ball and ran forward to support the midfield.
Chelsea have, once again, something special.
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Callum Hudson-Odoi, Forward (69′): 6.5
The Englishman was very sharp coming on. Hudson-Odoi did not really make a much of an impact on the attack, but, granted, the Arsenal defense did not give him much of a chance.
Despite his lack of chances, Hudson-Odoi was very smart towards the end of the game and killed valuable seconds by playing short passes, turning back to face the defense, returning the ball to the back line and holding the ball when he did not have much support. Slowly, but surely, he is making his comeback.
Frank Lampard, Manager: 10.0
Not many recognize that they made a mistake in tactics, especially so early in the game. But Lampard had the courage to do so and made game changing substitutions in the 34′. Lampard analyzed the situation and acted. He would rather take a risk than continue with a failing formula. He even introduced a young right back instead of an offensive player, knowing that Chelsea could not lose cover.
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This was his best performance as a manager, winning the last game of the year and the decade and against Arsenal no less.