Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth: Ranking the returning loanees

=10 Abdul Baba Rahman

Chances of Staying: 1/5; Match Performance: 4/5

With Baba Rahman, like several others, the match showed what could’ve been if not for the quick turnaround in personnel that Chelsea usually goes through. Now 27, it is almost impossible for the left-back to have a career at Stamford Bridge, but he did show glimpses of his talent which led to the club purchasing him in the first place. His cross for Armando Broja’s equalizing goal was superb, which, in turn, could be his last action in a Chelsea shirt.

=10 Lewis Baker

Chances of Staying: 1/5; Match Performance: 4/5

Baker, like Baba Rahman, is largely a forgotten man at Stamford Bridge. He has gone on eight loans in the past seven years, and at 26, is unlikely to have a career with the Blues. However, that did not stop him from putting in a good shift against Bournemouth, that too in an unfamiliar position.

Baker was deployed as a centerback by Tuchel in the middle of the back three with the possible intention of stepping into midfield while in possession. However, the game’s tempo combined with both teams’ inability to keep hold of the ball meant that he largely played as a defender and even made one superb block to deny ex-Chelsea academy forward Dominic Solanke.

=10 Danny Drinkwater

Chances of Staying: 1/5; Match Performance: 4/5

Drinkwater is clearly a talented footballer, good enough to play week in, week out for a top-flight side. He showed that much against Bournemouth, with his long diagonal switches to Callum Hudson-Odoi especially sparking excitement. Unfortunately, his Chelsea career is too much in the red to be saved at this point – injuries, unsuccessful loans, and off-field issues saw to it.

It would be a miracle if he is handed a chance this season by Tuchel, but he might just have given his coach something to think about with his brilliant display.

=10 Ike Ugbo

Chances of Staying: 1/5; Match Performance: 4/5

Ugbo’s 16 goals at Cercle Brugge last season definitely caught some eyes, Genk being one of them. The 22-year-old is expected to join the Jupiler Pro League side in a permanent transfer this summer with personal terms between the two parties already agreed. It was a surprise that he got a cameo against Bournemouth, not that Chelsea fans will complain, given that he scored the winner.

=10 Davide Zappacosta

Chances of Staying: 2/5; Match Performance: 3/5

There could arise a scenario in which Zappacosta ends up staying at Chelsea despite interest from Italy. The Blues want to provide backup to Reece James at right wing-back – a position which suits the Italian perfectly. However, Zappacosta only received 30 minutes on the pitch against Bournemouth, during which he was solid, if not superb.