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Chelsea player ratings: Tactical masterclass overwhelms Man United

By Kevin Peacock

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Mason Mount of Chelsea looks on during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alastair Grant/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Mason Mount of Chelsea looks on during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alastair Grant/Pool via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 19: Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea celebrates with his team after Harry Maguire of Manchester United scores an own goal to lead to Chelsea third goal during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andy Rain/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 19: Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea celebrates with his team after Harry Maguire of Manchester United scores an own goal to lead to Chelsea third goal during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andy Rain/Pool via Getty Images) /

Chelsea secured a place in the FA Cup Final with a massive win over Manchester United, all thanks to a tactical masterclass by Frank Lampard.

As someone, somewhere, once said—and I’ve quoted this before—‘you’ll never win anything with kids’. Maybe Frank Lampard knows this better than most, but as a youngster himself in managerial terms, a first season in charge of ‘his’ club could yet end with silverware. That’s maybe jumping the gun, but the FA Cup semifinal win against a, let’s face it, radically changed Manchester United side was impressive nonetheless.

In a season that has seen more youth minutes on the field than most, Lampard went for experience. A fourth defeat to Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer’s United in one season would have been unbearable. However, when the chips were down and when it really mattered, Chelsea players stood shoulder-to-shoulder and earned yet another Wembley victory.

It was an all-around team performance that brought about the win. Tactically, Lampard outwitted OGS, who, in his quest for Champions League football next season, over-rotated his tired squad. You’d almost believe United threw the tie, so bad were they. But let’s take nothing away from our heroes who all played their part.

Arsenal awaits Chelsea in the final, and suddenly football, in this fractured season, matters once again. Whilst some of us mock Liverpool’s title because of the prolonged break, everyone loves the magic of the FA Cup. Here are Chelsea’s player ratings from the FA Cup semifinal against United:

Willy Caballero (Goalkeeper): 8

Caballero was rightly given the opportunity to continue between the sticks in this game. The big question following the win is why he doesn’t play more. As goalkeepers go, Willy C looks the part. He was commanding in his box when he needed to be, was happy to play the sweeper role, and cleared the ball long when necessary. Without wishing to make this an anti-Kepa tirade, Caballero did a good job. Obviously, he failed to save Fernandes’ whimsical, balletic spot-kick, but those are always a lottery. There won’t be too many complaints if Caballero holds onto the No. 1 spot for the rest of the season.

Cesar Azpilicueta (Centreback): 8

Azpilicueta had a decent game in a defence that has struggled post lock-down. This season, he’s become a more aggressive defender. Whether that has come from Lampard or as a result of captaincy, we don’t know, but he certainly looks to be on his game. Offensively, he’s reprising those days under Antonio Conte, and his assist for Olivier Giroud’s opening goal was crucial to the outcome. Playing in a back-three suits his game and he linked well with Reece James and Willian.

Antonio Rudiger (Centreback): 6

Oh, Antonio. Rudiger has struggled to find his form since the restart. At the start of the season, the German was set to be our best option in the centre of the defence. As the season has continued on, his place in the starting XI comes only as a result of the ineptitude of his colleagues. Lampard has certainly struggled to find a combination that he’s been able to persist with.

Everything Rudiger did appeared to be measured and methodical. Whenever the ball came to him in passing, he played the ball and stuttered onto the next player, rather than flow to him. In fairness, it was his pressing that led to the final goal, so that boosted his score slightly, but he needs to kick-on if he’s to remain in Lampard’s plans.

Kurt Zouma (Centreback): 7

It’s difficult to gain any credence as an individual when the collective you operate within doesn’t perform. Zouma is currently Chelsea’s best option at centreback. Zouma performed as well as he needed to. Fortunately, for the defence as a whole, United was bereft of any attacking intent. Paired with the right partner though and the Frenchman could play a role in Chelsea’s future.

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