Chelsea player ratings: Those who needed to, didn’t; those who didn’t, did

Chelsea and Nottingham Forest both rotated heavily, implying that both managers foresaw the outcome. For some of the Blues, though, the consequences may come later this month.

Frank Lampard gave some of his players their first start in quite some time, with the expectation hanging around that it could be their last start at Chelsea for the season, and maybe ever. The Blues who most needed to prove themselves fell short, while others who are already on the ascent showed why.

Willy Caballero, Goalkeeper: N/A

Willy Caballero made one save on a 25-yard medium-velocity shot just a little high and to the left of where he was standing patiently in the centre of his goal. His other notable moment was pulling down a corner and quickly throwing the ball forward to start the counter-attack that ended with Pedro’s shot going off the back of Michy Batshuayi’s heel.

Any more involvement than that could have spelled trouble in a cup tie, so this is a thoroughly welcome “N/A,” as it carries the clean sheet with it.

Reece James, Right back: 9

Reece James earned his place in Chelsea’s squad this season through his accomplishments in the Championship with Wigan last season. His performance against a weakened version of the Championship’s fourth-place side showed how far he is above that level and deserving of his place in a Premier League first team.

Over 40% of Chelsea’s first-half attacks came down the right side, and that was because of Reece James. Nearly every one of his crosses into the box were timed, weighted and placed for a forward to latch onto. It’s unfortunate that the various stats sheets and sites won’t have any top line entry for James. If Reece James can’t make a striker look good, then there’s a problem and it’s not with James (more on that later). His movement and passing with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tariq Lamptey once again shows the value of having a group of players who have played together or at least been schooled in the same philosophy of football, a la Barcelona.

James was equally strong on defence, covering back from advanced positions to clear long passes towards Nottingham Forest’s forwards and winning hard one-on-one tackles.

The only drawback in James’ play on Sunday came when Chelsea were playing out from the back in the first half. James repeatedly dropped onto the centrebacks’ line, perhaps because Ross Barkley was dropping onto Jorginho’s line and Callum Hudson-Odoi came back towards midfield, too. The end result was Chelsea had straight lines of 4-3-3, without any opportunities for angled passes to players between the lines.

Andreas Christensen, Centreback: 7

Andreas Christensen did what he needed to do, which wasn’t much defensively. He accumulated the most passes, which he normally sent in from the midfield line where he and Fikayo Tomori set up shop. He had his usual moments of grace and control on the ball, but it’s hard to ignore that those came against a very young and small Nottingham Forest side. If Forest had played a regular Championship XI, Christensen may have had a rougher go of it.

Because of his few opportunities to do much, this game won’t move the needle in his favour, but at least it won’t seal his fate the other way (whatever that fate may be).

Fikayo Tomori, Centreback: 7

Tomori at least had more to do than Christensen, as Nottingham Forest’s most (only?) creative and offensively-threatening player – 17-year old Alex Mighten – came down Chelsea’s left side. Aside from ensuring that Mighten did not get to see too much of the goal, Tomori did not have much to worry about since Nottingham Forest left Mighten stranded for most of the game.

Emerson, Left back: 6

Emerson gave Mighten a bit of hope, which Tomori squelched, but that means it was the dullness of the rest of the Nottingham Forest side that gave Emerson some hope. Emerson was beaten through the middle and in the defensive third several times, as usual due more to his positioning than his own skill or that of the opponent.

As often happens, Emerson let himself drift away from where he needs to be at the expense of his actual duties and area of responsibility. He took most of Chelsea’s corner kicks from their right side, so he could send an in-swinger into the box. He would then stay on the left side for an extended period, often until the next stoppage in play. The cameras didn’t show who was covering the left side when Emerson was tucked in high and on the right, but none of the options would be as good as the actual left back, especially since N’Golo Kante was not playing. Against Nottingham Forest B, he got away with it. Most any other side, well, you know.

The contrast between Reece James on the right and Emerson on the left confirmed Cesar Azpilicueta’s spot on the left for the foreseeable future, pending any transfers.