Chelsea player ratings at Sheffield: Lampard’s worst showing

Jorginho (Midfielder): 2

A chance for Jorginho to prove his value to both Lampard and Chelsea fans was squandered. In the first half, he was rarely given the luxury of time on the ball as Sheffield constantly either marked or pressed him. Credit to Wilder for knowing Jorginho would start the game and building a game plan that would negate his presence on the ball and exploit his defensive frailties off it.

How Lampard did not take him off at halftime, I will never know, but he clearly should have as his second half performance was even worse. Jorginho saw more of the ball in the second half after Lampard switched to a 3-4-3 system. However, he failed to open up passing lanes, break the lines or do anything you want from your primary ball distributor. N’Golo Kante could not be back any sooner.

Ross Barkley (Midfielder): 5

Barkley showcased some good skills, had a cheeky nutmeg under his name and had a handful of good moments. That’s it—that’s all that was positive about his performance. In a crowded midfield, he failed to penetrate and create any chances for either himself or his teammates other than a scuffed shot in the first half. On the bright side, he was the least worst midfielder on the pitch for Chelsea.

Mason Mount (Midfielder): 4

I do not think Mount warranted enough mistakes to be hooked off at halftime, and I would much rather have seen Barkley taken off instead. That being said, Mount was clearly at fault for the first goal. He chose not to clear the ball and instead lost it just outside the box which led to the cross for the first goal.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Midfielder): 4

More important minutes for Loftus-Cheek today, but the performance was nothing to write home about. He was just as average as most of the other Chelsea players as Sheffield thoroughly outplayed all 16 Chelsea players on the pitch.