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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: Yeremi Pino of Villarreal and Marcos Alonso of Chelsea battle for possession 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: Yeremi Pino of Villarreal and Marcos Alonso of Chelsea battle for possession 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) /

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

Callum Hudson-Odoi started off this match really well. He looked lively on the right side as the Blues controlled possession, allowing the wingback to position himself in the final third. It was unusual to see his link-up with Hakim Ziyech missing throughout the contest though. Ironically enough, despite the two not being on the same wavelength in the first half, Hudson-Odoi’s play suffered after the Moroccan came off. The right wingback was replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta late on as he was largely a non-factor as the bout dragged on.

N’Golo Kante (Central midfielder): 8.5/10

That’s captain N’Golo Kante to you. The Frenchman looked minuscule compared to the giant Champions League trophy he carried out of the tunnel, but he was enormous once the whistle blew. Kante was the one thing holding the Blues together in the second half as he continued his normal routine of closing players down, cutting out passes and shielding the back line. Sadly, Tuchel took him off to preserve his health ahead of the Crystal Palace fixture on Saturday. All hell broke loose and all positional sense was thrown out of the window when Kante came off. The Blues ran around like chickens with their heads cut off and Kante could only watch on helplessly. It’s no coincidence the Villarreal goal came shortly after the beloved midfielder was substituted.

Mateo Kovacic (Central midfielder): 7.5/10

A few heavy touches aside, Mateo Kovacic was running the show against the Yellows in the first half. He uncharacteristically made a plethora of long crosses with pin-point accuracy. The Croatian’s bag of tricks grows even larger with this strength being added to his game. Kovacic was gliding across the pitch with grace per usual, as well. He and Kante dictated the opening 45 from the middle of the park, but Kovacic looked lackluster after halftime. He ended up going the distance and showing some fantastic effort late in extra time though—credit where it’s due. We’ve seen far better from Kovacic overall.

Marcos Alonso (Left wingback): 7.5/10

Marcos Alonso’s penalty was a thing of beauty. Chelsea fans were briefly reminded of the brutal John Terry slip when the Spaniard lost his footing as he took his chance against Villarreal. Luckily, it found the back of the net as the second of six Blues penalties that won them the game. Other than that, Alonso was great going forward and mediocre in the defensive third. What else is new?

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