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Chelsea vs Leicester City player ratings: Blues blow FA Cup final

By Akshat Mehrish

Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount reacts after missing a chance during the English FA Cup final football match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on May 15, 2021. - - NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth / POOL / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount reacts after missing a chance during the English FA Cup final football match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on May 15, 2021. - - NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth / POOL / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: N’Golo Kante of Chelsea is challenged by Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City during The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of around 21,000 fans, subject to a negative lateral flow test, will be allowed inside Wembley Stadium to watch this year’s FA Cup Final as part of a pilot event to trial the return of large crowds to UK venues. (Photo by Matt Childs – Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: N’Golo Kante of Chelsea is challenged by Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City during The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of around 21,000 fans, subject to a negative lateral flow test, will be allowed inside Wembley Stadium to watch this year’s FA Cup Final as part of a pilot event to trial the return of large crowds to UK venues. (Photo by Matt Childs – Pool/Getty Images) /

Cesar Azpilicueta (Right wingback): 6.5/10

Azpilicueta playing as the right wingback was the obvious surprise once the match began, especially because James was present on the pitch, as well. While the tactics were clearly targeted toward the Leicester City attackers, Azpilicueta’s lack of pace did take away Chelsea’s attacking threat down the right side. The Chelsea captain was replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi in the second batch of substitutions.

N’Golo Kante (Central midfielder): 7/10

The Frenchman was one of Chelsea’s better players defensively. He enjoyed a particularly good first period against his former employers, as he closed down the opposition’s midfielders and won the ball back on countless occasions. However, N’Golo Kante’s lack of attacking acumen did hurt his team.

Jorginho (Central midfielder): 6/10

The Italian took fewer risks in the middle of the pitch, perhaps with the events of the week still fresh in his mind. He often chose to play the safe pass rather than the risky ones, albeit that was down to the Leicester press on occasions. With his team trailing, Tuchel decided to withdraw the central midfielder for an extra attacker.

Marcos Alonso (Left wingback): 6.5/10

Marcos Alonso was the surprise pick in the starting XI, with Tuchel deciding against starting Chilwell as the left wingback. The Spaniard contributed little to the attack and was withdrawn shortly after Leicester scored the opening goal.

Ben Chilwell (Left wingback): 7.5/10

Chilwell entered the pitch to loud jeering from the traveling Leicester support. A year ago, he was playing in the royal blue of the Foxes before sealing a summer switch to Chelsea. Ironically, Chilwell came the closest to leveling the match for the Londoners on two occasions. The England international hit the post with his first attempt. His second, meanwhile, ended up in the back of the net via a deflection off Wes Morgan, only to be ruled out for an offside.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (Right wingback): 6.5/10

Hudson-Odoi replaced Azpilicueta in an attacking change. The winger was far less conservative than his predecessor on the pitch and constantly looked to link up with Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz in the attack. However, he too was unable to rescue the match for the Blues.

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