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Chelsea vs Villarreal player ratings: UEFA Super Cup grades

By Gabe Henderson

Chelsea's Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (L), Chelsea's German defender Antonio Rudiger (2L), Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (2R) and Chelsea's US midfielder Christian Pulisic (R) celebrate winning the UEFA Super Cup football match between Chelsea and Villarreal at Windsor Park in Belfast on August 11, 2021. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (L), Chelsea's German defender Antonio Rudiger (2L), Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (2R) and Chelsea's US midfielder Christian Pulisic (R) celebrate winning the UEFA Super Cup football match between Chelsea and Villarreal at Windsor Park in Belfast on August 11, 2021. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – AUGUST 11: Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea passes the ball whilst under pressure from Alberto Moreno of Villarreal during the UEFA Super Cup 2021 match between Chelsea FC and Villarreal CF at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on August 11, 2021 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – AUGUST 11: Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea passes the ball whilst under pressure from Alberto Moreno of Villarreal during the UEFA Super Cup 2021 match between Chelsea FC and Villarreal CF at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on August 11, 2021 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Chelsea’s march toward the meaningful matches continued with a thrilling victory over Villarreal via a penalty shootout in the UEFA Super Cup. Scratch that, apparently this was a meaningful match, it was only going to be considered a preseason fixture if the Blues were to lose. Thomas Tuchel’s men looked sloppier in this contest than they have in any of their recent preseason contests, so you’d be forgiven for thinking it was just another fitness test. Chelsea’s abysmal second half performance almost saw a European trophy evade it to begin the season and it would’ve marked a fourth straight loss in this particular competition.

In the end, the Blues emerged victorious despite stumbling over their own feet. Kepa Arrizabalaga proved to be the hero as he saved two penalties in the shootout to save Chelsea from embarrassment after a lackadaisical showing. The Blues fans in Belfast are undoubtedly thrilled, as are all of the Chelsea faithful around the world. There were some concerning signs throughout the two-hour affair, but let’s save those for another day. For now, it’s time to celebrate some European silverware at the start of the season.

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Here is how each player performed in the Super Cup victory against Villarreal:

Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 8/10

Edouard Mendy was gargantuan in this game. He was practically standing on his head as Chelsea’s makeshift defense was beaten time after time in the second half. The goal conceded was faulted to the defensive errors along the back line and realistically there was little Mendy could have done. He did have one miscue when he slipped sending a goal kick forward, but quickly got back onto his feet and made a fingertip save to put the shot onto the post. If this is what preseason/early year Mendy looks like, we are sure in for a treat during his sophomore campaign.

Trevoh Chalobah (Right centerback): 9/10

Trevoh Chalobah was rewarded for his efforts in preseason with his competitive debut for Chelsea. Despite the young defender’s likely loan in the coming days, he was handed a start in the Super Cup for his superb displays throughout the last few weeks against Arsenal and Tottenham. Suffice it to say, he was incredible. Chalobah outlasted Kurt Zouma at the back and played the entirety of the match, which goes to show just how much trust Tuchel has in the young Englishman. These last few appearances have indicated Chalobah has a brighter future at Stamford Bridge than some may have previously thought. He seldom put a foot wrong during a match with European silverware on the line. Oh, and did I mention it was his debut? It’s a fact worth repeating as he looked more comfortable on the big stage than a majority of others on the pitch—for both sides.

Kurt Zouma (Centerback): 7/10

Zouma played well throughout his 65 minutes on the pitch. He was perhaps an unfair victim of the Blues’ sloppy play in the second half. The Frenchman seldom put a foot wrong during his time as the centermost defender in Tuchel’s back three, which may have the manager questioning his desire to swap Zouma for Sevilla star Jules Kounde. If there is a way for all of the centerbacks (plus Kounde) to co-exist, Chelsea needs to make it happen because selling Zouma would be a colossal mistake. On another note, fans found out on Wednesday night that the 6-foot-3 defender can in fact raise his leg above his head. If you know, you know.

Antonio Rudiger (Left centerback): 7.5/10

Antonio Rudiger’s darting runs from the defensive line are back, as are his no-nonsense tackles. His mistake lead to Villarreal’s lone goal throughout the 120 minutes and saw the contest eventually get taken to penalties. The mistake wasn’t anything too concerning, just a sloppy passage of play by the German defender as he was overthinking when attempting to play from out the back. Rudiger’s rating would’ve been significantly higher without the error as he was superb against the Spanish side otherwise.

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