The Pride of London
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Chelsea player ratings vs. Burnley: Beginning an unbeaten run

By Hridyam Arora

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side's first goal past Nick Pope of Burnley during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andrew Couldridge - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side's first goal past Nick Pope of Burnley during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andrew Couldridge - Pool/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea celebrates with team mate Christian Pulisic after scoring their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea celebrates with team mate Christian Pulisic after scoring their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Callum Hudson-Odoi (Right wingback): 8.5/10

This kid, man, he is just something else. Yet another brilliant performance from Hudson-Odoi against Burnley. He seems to have made the wingback position his own, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to give it away anytime soon. He was out there creating chances for his teammates throughout the game’s entirety.

First, he had a great cross to Timo Werner in the 29′, but unfortunately, Werner couldn’t make the most out of it. After that, he got the assist that he deserved when he laid the ball off perfectly for Azpilicueta, after some hold-up play in waiting for the Spanish defender to arrive where Hudson-Odoi wanted him to be. Outside of that, he made a couple of great chances, hit the post, almost forced an own goal. Just a normal day at the office for Hudson-Odoi, really. He was subbed off for Reece James in the 73′.

Mateo Kovacic (Central midfielder): 7/10

This might sound premature, but I genuinely believe Tuchel has the ability to bring out the best in Mateo Kovacic. He has looked good in both the games he has played under Tuchel and looks more and more like his older self, the kind of player Chelsea bought from Real Madrid. He is the one to start the attack, he knows when to do what—when to pass the ball wide, when to go up against a few players, when to play it simple and he looks very confident. He’s always been one of my favourite players, and it’s just nice to see him play the way he can actually play. Keep in mind, he’s not there yet. A long way to go to reach his best, but he’s moving in the right direction.

Jorginho (Central midfielder): 7/10

This was also one of Jorginho’s better games this season. He improved a lot from his previous game, and actually made daring passes—successfully too. He has the ability, he just needed the execution and against Burnley, it was on full display. He had a beautiful pass to Alonso from deep, but the Spaniard’s header was, well, weird. Then, late into the second half, he had a great pass to Reece James, whose shot was saved by Nick Pope. Good performance.

Marcos Alonso (Left wingback): 7/10

Alonso got a rare start against Burnley. Having only played 45 minutes this season, it was weird to see him start, especially given how much he has declined, and how lethargic he has looked in these last two seasons. Those elements were still there today, both in defense and offense. That wayward header in the first half comes to mind. Anyway, towards the end of the game, he did something other-worldly. He linked up well with Pulisic and made a run into the box where Pulisic lobbed it back to him, he took two beautiful touches and then whacked a volley off the turn straight into the roof of the net. Goals like that make you jump off your couch, and that’s what I did—what a goal.

Reece James (Right wingback): 5/10

James came on for Hudson-Odoi in the73′. He didn’t have much to do other than a great chance in the 75′, but Pope saved it. He had a few decent passes, that’s about it.

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