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Chelsea player ratings at Barnsley: A win is a win is a win

By Anthony Gatt

BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Callum Brittain of Barnsley sees his effort saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Barnsley and Chelsea at Oakwell Stadium on February 11, 2021 in Barnsley, 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 Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Callum Brittain of Barnsley sees his effort saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Barnsley and Chelsea at Oakwell Stadium on February 11, 2021 in Barnsley, 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 Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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BARNSLEY, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 11: Callum Brittain of Barnsley sees his effort saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Barnsley and Chelsea at Oakwell Stadium on February 11, 2021 in Barnsley, 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 Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
BARNSLEY, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 11: Callum Brittain of Barnsley sees his effort saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Barnsley and Chelsea at Oakwell Stadium on February 11, 2021 in Barnsley, 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 Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

It wasn’t pretty, but Chelsea is into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup after a 1-0 win against Barnsley. It was a struggle from start to finish which saw a formation change happen at the start of second half. The Blues switched to a back four in hopes of having more control of the game then in first half, but it was more of the same as Barnsley made it difficult for the visitors to do anything in the attacking phase of the game. That was until Tammy Abraham netted the winner in the 64′.

Several players failed to impress Tuchel in this game and may regret not doing so, here are the player ratings for the latest FA Cup victory:

Kepa Arrizabalaga (Goalkeeper): 6/10

Kepa Arrizabalaga always has a mistake in him. Luckily on Thursday it didn’t cost Chelsea the game and he left Oakwell with a clean sheet.

Emerson (Centerback/Left back): 7/10

Emerson started the game on the left side of a back three and was moved to left back for the second half. He did his job in both positions defensively, but offered virtually nothing attacking wise. Whenever he had the ball, the Brazilian was under a lot pressure and did his best just to avoid any mistakes. Overall a good job from the defender.

Kurt Zouma (Centerback): 7.5/10

Kurt Zouma got his first minutes today under the new boss and he looked to impress in hopes to earn his position back into the starting XI. The formation change saw him shift from the middle of a three to the right side with Antonio Rudiger beside him and I feel he defended resiliently during the latter stages of the second half to secure the result for the Blues.

Andreas Christensen (Centerback): 6/10

Andreas Christensen was the first causality of formation change and was subbed off during halftime for Rudiger. While he was on the pitch, he looked awkward and didn’t have the experience beside him to ease his worries like he’s had in the Premier League and suffered because of it.

Antonio Rudiger (Centerback): 7/10

Rudiger came on at halftime and alongside Zouma, played well and secured the clean sheet.

Reece James (Right back): 8/10

Reece James made a real change in the game when he came on. Like always does, his movement both off and on the ball gave life to the team and he got his reward with an assist to Tammy Abraham for the winner.

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