Chelsea player ratings: VAR overshadows Mateo Kovacic, covers for others

Chelsea played 90 minutes of forgettable football marred by several refereeing decisions that should bring the entire Premier League into disrepute. We’ll try to focus on the players in our player ratings.

Set aside VAR and Chelsea should not have lost this game, but it’s hard to argue they would have won it, even with competent refereeing that ejected Harry Maguire in the first half and properly awarded Kurt Zouma’s goal in the second. The Blues can lose a game on their own, thank you very much, no further help needed from the wizards of Stockley Park.

Willy Caballero, Goalkeeper: 6

Frank Lampard took the gamble or the sent the message or had whatever motivation a manager needs to have to start a 38-year old over a £72 million struggling starter. Despite the dramatics of Lampard’s decision, it really had no effect on the outcome.

Manchester United scored on their only two shots on target of the first 92 minutes. But given the quality of Chelsea’s defending in those moment and the quality of the shots, it’s hard to say Kepa Arrizabalaga would have done any better, especially in his recent form. Since United had only one other shot and Caballero did not need to do much to take control of his box or pull crosses out of the air, hopefully Arrizabalaga would not have done any worse.

Reece James, Right back: 6

Reece James needed Olivier Giroud in the first half, when Chelsea had control of the game and James had the time and positions to send crosses into the box. Instead, James’ crosses sailed harmlessly (from Manchester United’s perspective) through, although as we have said before that is not just the striker’s fault: Chelsea need players at the near post, far post and in the centre because James’ crosses pass through numerous target zones.

James’ best moments on defence and in terms of controlling the pace of the game came when he came off the wing towards midfield. If a three-man defence comes into shape for Lampard, James could be just as effective as a midfielder (especially in a 3-5-2) as he would as as wingback.

Andreas Christensen, Centreback: 6.5

Can we fault Andreas Christensen for getting his nose broken and in the consequent personal and tactical disarray lose Anthony Martial, resulting in the opening goal? We could. We won’t.

For the first 40 minutes, Christensen was once again doing that thing where he was oddly physical for a player of his build and repute. Yes, it’s a bit absurd to talk about his physical play compared to Antonio Rudiger on his left or the man who replaced him, Kurt Zouma, but at least Christensen is adding that to his game. He also had four tackles, sharing the team lead despite playing only half the game.

Give him credit for blood shed in service to the team, not that he can afford to lose an ounce of anything from his frame. At least he’s willing.

Antonio Rudiger, Centreback: 7

Rudiger’s passing was an essential element of Chelsea’s game. In the first half he was at the root of a lot of the forward movement, both in transition or when Chelsea would send the ball backwards to stretch the pitch and then Rudiger would launch them back forward. In the second half, he pushed further up the pitch and was as much a recycling option at Jorginho.

Kurt Zouma, Centreback (45′): 6

Kurt Zouma would have been Chelsea’s third centreback with a goal this season if not for the combined machinations of Fred, Brandon Williams, Anthony Taylor and what’s-his-name in the VAR booth all working through Cesar Azpilicueta to deny Zouma his first league goal of 2019/20.

Cesar Azpilicueta, Left back: 6.5

No, really, what was Azpilicueta thinking, getting pushed in the back and falling into the man in front of him? He was asking for it just as much as Michy Batshuayi’s SpongeBob-clad junk was asking for Harry Maguire’s foot to drive into it.

Haha, no, but to be serious (as Frank Lampard would say), Azpilicueta had a relatively standard, workmanlike, unspectacular match. Fortunately, “unspectacular” for Azpilicueta is still a high quality game. He and Pedro did not have much of a rhythm going on the left side in transition or on offence, but then again, who ever has a rhythm when Pedro is around? Even so, Azpilicueta several times sprinted from a deep defensive position to overlap Pedro near the final third, once again giving the lie to the narratives that he is slow and does not contribute on offence.