Chelsea continued its unbeaten preseason run with a 2-1 win against Arsenal to kick-off The Mind Series. The Blues were in control for much of the match with Kai Havertz firing the Champions of Europe ahead. A relatively late equalizer by the Gunners against the makeshift Chelsea defense saw the hosts get on the front foot again for a small period of time. A mistake at the back for Arsenal saw Tammy Abraham get in on goal, where he slotted it home for the eventual winner just moments later. This game had a regular season feel to it with a lot of intensity on both sides. Nevertheless, there were mistakes aplenty as supporters were reminded that this one doesn’t count for anything.
We know the Blues won, but how did the Chelsea team perform against Arsenal as individuals?
Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 8/10
Edouard Mendy looked to be in top form in his first meaningful showing of preseason. Does the Senegalese shot-stopper have another gear? It remains to be seen. He had little to do during the first half, but as Arsenal grew into the game, Mendy stepped up. The keeper cut out crosses effectively, distributed efficiently and ultimately kept a clean sheet during his time on the pitch. Big things ahead for the Blues’ No. 1.
Kurt Zouma (Right centerback): 8/10
Kurt Zouma’s last week has been hectic as rumors of the club’s intent to sell him have emerged. Zouma has been linked to Sevilla and West Ham, but he showed Chelsea on Sunday exactly why he deserves a chance to stay at Stamford Bridge. Zouma was comfortable in possession and he cut out passes with ease. We even got treated to a hard, precise tackle from the Frenchman in an important moment early on.
Trevoh Chalobah (Centerback): 9.5/10
Trevoh Chalobah belongs at Chelsea and that was evident in his Man of the Match performance on Sunday. There have been question marks ahead of this game surrounding his future, reasonably so, but he showed us all why he deserves a spot. Chalobah looked like a seasoned veteran in the heart of central defense, defending with a cool head throughout. He was subbed off in the 86′ as he played more minutes than anybody else in blue. The Tottenham match in a matter of days is going to be extremely important in figuring out Chalobah’s immediate future.
Antonio Rudiger (Left centerback): 7/10
It was nice to see Antonio Rudiger out on the pitch donning the Chelsea badge again. He had a relatively shaky game early on as some dust-ups with Arsenal players defined the opening stages. However, as the contest went on, the German centerback transitioned back into his no-nonsense self. His communication with those around him (Mendy included) showed exactly why he deserved to be wearing the captain’s armband today.
Christian Pulisic (Right wingback): 6/10
It was another poor day at the office for Christian Pulisic. He looked incredibly uncomfortable at right wingback. To be fair to the American, he seldom plays that role, but may need to step in on a number of occasions this season in order to see more minutes. On a positive note, he grew into the game when Davide Zappacosta relieved him of his defensive duties and he was able to slot into the front three. Expect big things from Pulisic this season, regardless of what he’s displayed thus far in preseason.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Central midfielder): 8/10
Ruben Loftus-Cheek wants to stay at Chelsea and he made that known to the world through his performance against Arsenal. Fans were given a glimpse of the past as the midfielder took us back to 2018/19 when he was one of the Blues’ most important players. This was his best performance in a Chelsea shirt since those days under Maurizio Sarri. Thomas Tuchel is searching for a fourth midfielder to spend the season in his side backing up N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic, and he may not have to look further than Loftus-Cheek. If the German is able to get the English midfielder back to his old self, the middle of the park will possess the weapons to overpower any in world football.
Mateo Kovacic (Central midfielder): 6/10
Mateo Kovacic provided the pass to Timo Werner that sent him down the field, leading to the opening goal. He struggled to get involved early on, but managed to grow into the game as the first half went on. Unfortunately he was subbed off at halftime, just as he began to get into the groove. Kovacic picked up a “second assist” and also a yellow card for a cheeky foul.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Left wingback): 9/10
If it wasn’t for the brilliant (and extended) play of Chalobah, Callum Hudson-Odoi would’ve run away with Man of the Match honors. The versatile attacker started this friendly as a left wingback and carried his good run of form over from the Bournemouth match. Hudson-Odoi is building a genuine relationship with Hakim Ziyech, no matter the side the pair starts on. He blew by defenders—bringing out the sauce when necessary—and got into good positions to set up goal scoring chances. Hudson-Odoi is going to have an important part to play this season and if he keeps playing like this, there’ll be no way Tuchel can leave him out of the starting XI.
Timo Werner (Right winger): 7/10
Werner looked a lot more comfortable on the ball than in the previous season. He didn’t enjoy a wildly successful debut campaign like many had hoped and that disappointment carried over to Euro 2020. Nevertheless, Werner had an indescribable confidence about him when he got onto the pitch for his first preseason start. He carried the ball with class on numerous occasions and Chelsea simply looked better when Werner got involved in the play. He provided the assist for Havertz’s brilliant opener and hit the side netting, as well, on the day. Overall, just about exactly what you’d want from Werner during his first 45′ of the season.
Kai Havertz (Center forward): 8.5/10
Havertz started out the game rather slow. The German wunderkind didn’t get many touches early on, but when he did manage to get on the ball, he made the most of his opportunities. Havertz fired the Blues ahead with a superb strike into the top right corner in the 26′. His movement up top was excellent as he managed to find space all across the front line and spread out the unorganized Gunners defense. Hopefully this performance was a sign of things to come from the 22-year-old Champions League winner for his second season in the English capital.
Hakim Ziyech (Left winger): 8/10
Ziyech looks like an entirely different player thus far. As mentioned above, the Moroccan is building quite the rapport with Hudson-Odoi. He also looked a lot more comfortable playing alongside Werner and Havertz in a position-less front three of sorts. Ziyech was making things happen throughout, often coming central and deep to retrieve passes before turning up field to go at defenders. He did miss the most obvious scoring opportunity of the match though. The aftermath of that will likely be some jabs at him in training from teammates, but all in good fun. After all, it was Ziyech’s ability to get onto the ball quickly and flick it over the keeper that created the chance in the first place. He also had an effortless-looking shot hit the crossbar. Much like his attacking counterparts, Ziyech left a fair bit to be desired on the pitch, but it was a solid showing nonetheless.
Dujon Sterling (Right centerback): 7.5/10
Dujon Sterling did not let an early mistake that led to a free kick crush his spirits. The versatile defender stepped in excellently again at right centerback. The most memorable action Sterling had was a last ditch tackle preventing Nicolas Pepe from getting one-on-one with Kepa Arrizabalaga. The 21-year-old is one to watch in the coming days as Tuchel figures out his future. Sterling was thought to have been in line to take over as the back-up right wingback behind Reece James, but he hasn’t played in that position yet this preseason. His performances may be enough to keep him around and in contention for a back-up role somewhere on the pitch though.
Malang Sarr (Left centerback): 7/10
Malang Sarr didn’t do much to get his name mentioned, which is probably best case scenario for a central defender. His immediate future remains perhaps the biggest question mark of anybody in the team. Chelsea may need a No. 2 to play left centerback, and Sarr could be that guy, there is just an uncertainty about whether or not he’s ready to take that next step. A start against Spurs could go a long way in answering this question.
Davide Zappacosta (Right wingback): 7.5/10
Davide Zappacosta actually played quite well. He’s one of the few substitutes in this match who doesn’t have a real future in SW6, so these preseason appearances are essentially showcases for interested parties. The list of suitors will have gone up after seeing what Zappacosta can do in the attacking third. He sat down some defenders with vicious cutbacks and sent some dangerous balls into the box. Good—not great—outing from the Italian.
Danny Drinkwater (Central midfielder): 5/10
Suffice it to say, Danny Drinkwater’s eye-opening performance at Bournemouth was a one-off. He looked out of place as perhaps the Blues’ worst performer on the day, misplacing passes left and right. No offense to Drinkwater, as I believe there is still a quality footballer deep down in there somewhere, but the sooner Chelsea gets rid of the Englishman the better.
Tammy Abraham (Striker): 8/10
Abraham scored a winner at the Emirates for a second time in his career on Sunday. He continued to get into good positions, despite questionable decision making at times. If nothing else, the last two appearances from Abraham have gone a long way in showing Tuchel that the Blues can get a lot of chances with the homegrown striker leading the line. Justice for Abraham.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Goalkeeper): 6.5/10
Kepa Arrizabalaga gave up the goal, but that’s not to say it was his fault. The “C-team” defense let the Spaniard down as it failed to pick up Granit Xhaka on a corner. The Swiss midfielder placed a brilliant header onto the far left side of goal with pace, giving Arrizabalaga no chance. The absence of goal line technology may have bailed out Chelsea’s back-up keeper (although the build-up looked offsides) and saved him from conceding a second. Nothing special from Arrizabalaga.
Baba Rahman (Left wingback): 6/10
Baba Rahman scuffed a brilliant opportunity just minutes after coming on. He got into good attacking positions and helped out when necessary in defense.
N’Golo Kante (Central midfielder): 7.5/10
N’Golo Kante looked more comfortable on the ball than he perhaps ever has before. The Frenchman’s distribution (as captain, no less) was on point as he worked tirelessly to send the Blues on the counterattack in the late stages of the game. Kante’s smile and style are back.
Ross Barkley (Attacking midfielder): 5/10
I cannot remember one thing Ross Barkley did during his time on the pitch aside from a few forward passes in the final third. Unfair to give him a 5/10 based on that reasoning? Perhaps. Justified given his overall lack of production? Yes.
Michy Batshuayi (Striker): 7.5/10
Michy Batshuayi looked surprisingly good against Arsenal. He and Abraham made for a great striker pairing—miscommunication aside—who constantly freed up space for the other to run into. The selfishness of both at times probably prevented Abraham from getting a second and Batshuayi from getting on the scoresheet, but that’s not to say the chances were not present. The Belgian was one of the bright spots during the second half as he looks to make the most out of the few opportunities he has remaining wearing the Chelsea badge.
Jake Clarke-Salter (Centerback): ?/10
Jake Clarke-Salter came on in the 86′ to relieve Chalobah of his duties. The Blues went on to win the game, so I guess you could say Clarke-Salter’s brief cameo can be considered a success.
What would you rate each player? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!