Chelsea player ratings vs. Manchester United: Solid showing

Chelsea earned a point from its hard fought draw at Old Trafford on Saturday, but how did each of the players perform in the match?

Chelsea took on Manchester United in a matchup that certainly would not go down in the history books as a classic by any stretch of the imagination. With a draw being the most favourable outcome considering the narratives surrounding each of the clubs and their respective managers, neither side ultimately had enough to take all three points. Here are the player ratings from Manchester United and Chelsea’s 0-0 draw:

Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 9

One can certainly imagine just how delighted Petr Cech must be feeling when the cameras in the stadium panned to him following yet another fantastic outing from Chelsea’s new custodian in goal. Having arrived on the recommendation of both the aforementioned Cech, as well as head of the goalkeeping department, Christophe Lollichon, Mendy’s performance against Manchester United has more than validated the Chelsea duo’s appraisals of him.

Apart from making four vital saves to help prevent United from taking what would frankly be an undeserved lead, Mendy’s presence at the back—along with that of Thiago Silva—has brought about much-needed composure in defence. At 28 and having faced the very real possibility of quitting football altogether just six years ago, Mendy’s remarkable rise back to the top make every such performance that much more significant and respectable.

Reece James (Right wing-back): 8

Pacy and powerful, it is sometimes easy to forgot that Reece James is just 20 years of age. Combining well with Azpilicueta to lock down the right side of the Chelsea defence, James completely nullified any threat that his United namesake could offer. This ultimately culminated in Daniel James’ substitution just 18 minutes into the second half, a telling sign of just how impactful the wing-back was on the day. Moreover, James’ ability to not only outmuscle, but outpace, the mercurial talent that is Marcus Rashford—a feat not known to many fullbacks—highlights just how impressive the young Englishman was on Saturday.

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Cesar Azpilicueta (Centerback): 7

Unfortunate not to have won his side a penalty when Harry Maguire bear-hugged him to prevent him from getting his head on Ben Chilwell’s cross, Azpilicueta was once again his solid self on the right of Chelsea’s back three. With Rashford having been touted as United’s greatest threat on the eve of the game, Azpilicueta combined really well with James to keep him quiet for large parts of the game.

Having been told at the start of the season about a reduced role in the starting XI, Azpilicueta has nonetheless already picked up seven appearances in all competitions. He’s played across three different positions in the process. Considering just how consistent and professional Chelsea’s captain still is at the age of 31, Lampard’s continued trust in the Spaniard—as well as his continued selection in the team—certainly seems more than justified.

Kurt Zouma (Centerback): 7

Coming up against the likes of Juan Mata and Bruno Fernandes, both of whom do not possess the kind of pace that has seen Zouma undone in the past, the Frenchman had a solid outing on the left of Chelsea’s back three. Dominant in the air as he always is and well-protected by the likes of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho operating in the spaces directly ahead of him, Zouma’s greatest contribution came in defending Chelsea’s box from in-swinging crosses and corner kicks. Overall, a good showing from the 25-year-old who has been uncharacteristically shaky in recent games.

Thiago Silva (Centerback): 8

Playing in the middle of Chelsea’s back three, Silva’s ball-playing abilities and leadership qualities were both on display against Man United. From spraying passes out to the likes of Chilwell and James on the wings to making a vital block against Edinson Cavani in the dying minutes of the match, it is clear that Silva has well and truly put his performance against West Brom out of his mind. Were it not for Edouard Mendy’s own heroics as the last line of Chelsea’s defence, Silva’s complete performance on Saturday would have more than warranted him, his first man of the match award in the blue of Chelsea. At 36, and arriving in a league and country completely foreign to him, the Brazilian centreback’s performances highlight just how driven and hungry he must be to succeed at the club. In the short-run at least, Silva has once again proven himself more than good enough to be Chelsea’s short-term solution at the back.

Ben Chilwell (Left wing-back): 7

Having been deployed as a left wing-back for the first time since his arrival, Chilwell once again displayed the kind of tenacity that has made him such a fan favourite following a blistering start to his Chelsea career. Arguably the most outstanding of the Blues’ summer recruits thus far, Chilwell performed well against Mata, as well as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, for large parts of the game. Chelsea’s more defensive approach, however, meant that Chilwell did not have much license to roam forward. Moreover, with Christian Pulisic and then Mason Mount constantly dropping back to help him out, it was a rather comfortable if unspectacular outing at the end of the day for Chelsea’s No. 21.