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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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Chelsea’s Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour (R) vies with Barnsley’s English midfielder Herbie Kane (L) during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Barnsley and Chelsea at the Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley, northern England on February 11, 2021. (Photo by DAVE THOMPSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour (R) vies with Barnsley’s English midfielder Herbie Kane (L) during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Barnsley and Chelsea at the Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley, northern England on February 11, 2021. (Photo by DAVE THOMPSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Callum Hudson-Odoi (Right wingback): 7/10

Callum Hudson-Odoi is Tuchel’s jack of all trades. He started the game at right wingback and ended the game on the left wing. He was Chelsea’s most lively player throughout the game, always trying to create something when being surrounded by three or four players. The Englishman also tracked back to help on defense, and for me, didn’t put a foot wrong.

Billy Gilmour (Central midfielder): 6/10

The whole midfield struggled and Billy Gilmour wasn’t exempt from that. When Gilmour has played this season, it has left Blues fans singing his praises. Sadly on Thursday, many won’t being doing that. The entire midfield struggled to create anything for the forwards and it was easily dispossessed. It seemed the physicality of Barnsley really impacted Gilmour. One has to hope the Scot can learn from this experience and show his worth to the manager next time out.

N’Golo Kante (Central midfielder): 6/10

N’Golo Kante returned to the starting line-up and struggled, as well, alongside Gilmour. We all know what Kante offers this team and want to see him get a good run under the new manager before judging him. Playing the full 90 minutes is good for the Frenchman going forward, as there are some big matches ahead.

Marcos Alonso (Left wingback): 5/10

The Blues have a £50 million left back on the bench and Marcos Alonso continues to be put into the starting line-up—the notion of that two or three months ago would of been laughable. He was subbed at halftime for Reece James because of the formation change, I guess Tuchel’s feelings about Alonso playing left back is the same as Chelsea fans.

Mateo Kovacic (Midfielder): 7/10

Mateo Kovacic came on for Pulisic with 10 minutes to go to secure the win and offered his leadership and composure to see out the result.

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