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Chelsea player ratings vs. Bayern Munich: Season’s end

By Gabe Henderson

Bayern Munich's Canadian midfielder Alphonso Davies (R) fights for the ball with Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi during the UEFA Champions League, second-leg round of 16, football match FC Bayern Munich v FC Chelsea in Munich, southern Germany on August 8, 2020. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP) (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich's Canadian midfielder Alphonso Davies (R) fights for the ball with Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi during the UEFA Champions League, second-leg round of 16, football match FC Bayern Munich v FC Chelsea in Munich, southern Germany on August 8, 2020. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP) (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – AUGUST 08: Thomas Mueller of Bayern Munich battles for possession with Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Chelsea FC at Allianz Arena on August 08, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – AUGUST 08: Thomas Mueller of Bayern Munich battles for possession with Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Chelsea FC at Allianz Arena on August 08, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /

N’Golo Kante (Defensive midfielder): 6

Surprisingly enough, Kante performed better when he switched to an advanced role in the second half. His downfall is the lack of attacking prowess he possesses, evident in multiple instances down the stretch. Overall, it was good to have Kante back out on the pitch after a string of recent injuries. His ability to close down players with pace and technical adeptness was largely missed during his absence. Now, the Frenchman needs to take some time off to relax and nurse himself back to full health. If Chelsea is going to enjoy any degree of success in the 2020/21 season, the team needs Kante back on the pitch healthy.

Mateo Kovacic (Central midfielder): 7

Kovacic will largely be blamed for Bayern’s second goal which saw him give away possession in a dangerous area leading to Perisic’s—his fellow Croatian teammate—goal. You can decide whether it was a foul or not. Much like Kante, it wasn’t the best match Kovacic played all season, but he grew into the game as it progressed. A bright second half showed Kovacic is capable of playing the holding role in a midfield three, which is encouraging going into next year. He’s been the Blues’ best player throughout this extended season and he’s got a crucial role going forward. The Croatian midfielder brings a ton of experience and a unique skillset to the middle of the park and it’ll be neat to watch his continued development.

Ross Barkley (Central midfielder): 6.5

In a midfield three consisting of Kante, Kovacic and Barkley, the Englishman largely held his own. He made some blistering runs into the Bayern half, but few panned out. The impressive part about the German side was its ability to spread Chelsea out with its press and Barkley felt the effects of this. Every time he made a run into a dangerous area, he was forced to make something out of nothing. On one occasion, he earned a free kick, but that was probably the most memorable thing he did. One has to feel like there’s still more to Barkley’s story at Chelsea, but who truly knows anymore?

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