Chelsea vs Tottenham player ratings: Final preseason tune-up

Chelsea wrapped up its official preseason festivities in front of a near-full crowd at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. The Blues jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead against Tottenham in the first half via a classy Hakim Ziyech finish. The Moroccan Magician doubled the home side’s advantage 30 minutes later, immediately following the restart, with a nice deflected goal that found the far corner. It was a glorified training from there on as Thomas Tuchel made eight more changes over the remainder of the half, bringing the total for the match to 10. Edouard Mendy was the only one to play the entire 90′ and see out the 2-2 draw.

The Blues will now have one more preseason friendly (an intrasquad game) on Saturday before Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup against Villarreal. Chelsea finished the official preseason period undefeated as it rounds the corner. The matches that count are now in sight and the Blues look up for the challenging task ahead.

Here is how each player performed against Tottenham:

Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 5/10

It simply wasn’t Edouard Mendy’s day. He was good in the first half behind a starting-quality back three, although he had little to do. In all seriousness, Mendy could have pitched a tent in goal and been no worse for wear. The second half was a different story though. Tottenham got its first through a deflected Lucas Moura shot after the Blues switched formations to a 4-2-3-1. It was another mistake by the hosts that saw Spurs equalize mid-second half. Despite the mistake by an inexperienced defender, Mendy could’ve undoubtedly handled the shot better. This game was one of the Senegalese’s worst in a Chelsea shirt, luckily it counts for nada in the end.

Trevoh Chalobah (Right centerback): 9/10

Trevoh Chalobah has returned from his loan at Lorient, joined the Champions of Europe and all but booked his place in the team alongside some of the world’s best. He was on the outside looking in coming into the preseason. The younger brother of former Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah was given little chance to make the squad a few weeks ago and now it’d be a shock if he didn’t stay. Tuchel has clearly been impressed as Chalobah has played more minutes than any outfield player in the last two contests—being taken off in the 86′ at Arsenal and the 80′ versus Spurs.

Kurt Zouma (Centerback): 8.5/10

Kurt Zouma has been subject to unwelcome transfer rumors and how has he responded? By playing his French ‘cul’ off. Zouma has reportedly turned down advances by both Sevilla and West Ham in favor of staying in SW6. He’s got a wonderful personality off the pitch, but his in-game actions are even more beloved. Zouma’s last-ditch tackles are a thing of beauty as it’s considered a treat to watch the perfect blend of aggression and technical ability. He was very good against Tottenham, giving Tuchel something to consider as the window heads into its final weeks.

Antonio Rudiger (Left centerback): 8/10

Antonio Rudiger put in his typical no-nonsense display against Spurs. He’s seemingly got the left centerback role on lock for as long as he’ll stay at Chelsea right now. Rudiger has undergone a total defensive transformation under Tuchel and it’s been an absolute pleasure to watch him perfect his craft in the Blues’ crest.