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Chelsea player ratings vs. Leeds: Lampard’s Blues beat Bielsa’s side

By Gabe Henderson

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Kurt Zouma of Chelsea celebrates with teammates Olivier Giroud and Ben Chilwell after scoring their team's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on December 05, 2020 in London, England. A limited number of fans are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Kurt Zouma of Chelsea celebrates with teammates Olivier Giroud and Ben Chilwell after scoring their team's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on December 05, 2020 in London, England. A limited number of fans are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s French striker Olivier Giroud (R) celebrates after scoring the equalising goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in London on December 5, 2020. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s French striker Olivier Giroud (R) celebrates after scoring the equalising goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in London on December 5, 2020. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Hakim Ziyech (Right winger): 6.5

Hakim Ziyech’s struggles from the Spurs contest carried over into the beginning portion of the game against Leeds. The Moroccan Magician played a hand in the Blues’ first goal, drawing the attention of Whites defenders before dumping it off to James on the right wing. Unfortunately, there was a price to pay as Ziyech had to come off afterward with a hamstring injury. There is no news on the winger’s fitness just yet, but it’s unlikely he’ll be able to go midweek against Krasnodar. Hopefully the knock is nothing serious as Ziyech has been a huge success this season.

Olivier Giroud (Striker): 7.5

Giroud’s inclusion in the starting line-up was up in the air given the speedy nature of this game. However, after a haul mid-week against Sevilla, there was no way Lampard would leave him out. The French forward repaid his manager for showing faith in him by scoring the Blues’ opening goal in typical Giroud fashion. He missed a few simple chances as the game went on, contributing to the nightmare day in front of goal for the attack as a whole. In the end though, the only thing that matters is the Blues saw off the visitors and left the Bridge keeping pace with other title contenders.

Timo Werner (Left winger): 5.5

Many will see the assist next to Werner’s name and assume it was a good day at the office, but don’t let that fool you. The German’s struggles in front of goal continued as he even inexplicably missed a tap-in, or prevented a goal, I’m not sure if anybody knows what was going on there. Werner missed chance after chance in the game. His squandered opportunities kept Leeds in the match until the dying moments when his quality set-up assisted the finishing goal.

Christian Pulisic (Right winger): 7.5

Pulisic, much like Giroud, didn’t have the best game of his short Chelsea career. The American continued to look uncharacteristically selfish in his return from injury, often making Willian-esque bad choices. Regardless, it was great to see him on the scoresheet, up to his poaching self once again. Pulisic will get more opportunities to play with Ziyech sidelined for a bit and hopefully those minutes will allow the 22-year-old to return to last season’s form.

Tammy Abraham: 7

Tammy Abraham was really good for the Blues after coming on late for Giroud. He provided the perfect combination of pace and power off the bench. Abraham ran at defenders with some fresh legs and will more than likely get his chance to shine mid-week against Krasnodar and earn his starting spot back.

Next. Chelsea: Three lessons as Frank Lampard takes Marcelo Bielsa to school. dark

What would you rate each player? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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