Chelsea player ratings versus Real Madrid: A job half done

Mason Mount (Attacking Midfielder): 8/10

Mason Mount was making his 100th appearance for Chelsea, a feat that took him just under two seasons to accomplish. That in itself should tell you everything you need to know about Mount’s importance to this team. Mount’s performance proved that he belongs on the very biggest stage of world football. He completed 96% of his passes, with a 97.4% pass completion in the opponent’s half. As always, he also contributed defensively, winning five duels and two tackles. However, he will be disappointed with some of his set-piece delivery.

Timo Werner (Striker): 5/10

Having ended his long goal drought against West Ham on the weekend, Timo Werner would have hoped to build on that, but found himself feeling worse than before. Chelsea fans are used to seeing Werner miss big chances by now. He has missed 21 big chances this season, but none as important as the one in the first half of the game. If Chelsea fails to qualify for the Champions League final because of that miss, it is hard to see any Blues fan forgiving Werner anytime soon. This is the semi-final of the Champions League, and you would expect a goalkeeper to put that chance away – that is how easy it was.

Christian Pulisic (Attacking Midfielder): 9/10

Had he not been taken off on the hour mark, Christian Pulisic would have been my choice for the Man of the Match award. The 22-year-old became the youngest Chelsea player and first American to score a goal in the Champions League semi-final, and what a well-taken goal it was! Legend has it that Eden Hazard has posters of Pulisic in his bedroom. His three chances created, 13 duels won, and five dribbles completed in a big game were reminiscent of the Belgian’s performances for Chelsea.

SUBSTITUTES

Kai Havertz (Striker): 7/10

Kai Havertz replaced Werner, and to be honest, there was very little he needed to do to put in a better shift than his fellow German compatriot. In his short cameo, he won four out of six duels, and completed 87% of his passes. His composure on the ball and movement off it is what Chelsea missed from their frontman.

Hakim Ziyech (Attacking Midfielder): 8/10

Hakim Ziyech was the pick of the bunch among the substitutes. He had an instant impact on the game and could very easily have ended up with an assist to his name had Havertz made his way into the box quicker to reach his defense splitting cross minutes after coming on.

Reece James (Right Wingback): N/A

It was good to see Reece James replace Azpilicueta on the right flank and make an appearance in a Champions League semi-final. However, he did not have a real impact on the game, but stuck to his defensive duties very well.

How would you rate the players in this one? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!