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.
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?
Hakim Ziyech (Right winger): 8/10
Ziyech has undoubtedly been one of the Blues’ best players this preseason. He was rewarded for his early efforts by Tuchel when named to the starting XI. Unfortunately, the Moroccan didn’t look quite as sharp during his time on the pitch against Villarreal. Ziyech struggled to get involved throughout much of the match as his connection with Hudson-Odoi wasn’t there on Wednesday. When he did manage to get possession, his crosses were usually being overhit, uncharacteristic of the Moroccan Magician indeed.
Despite all of this, Ziyech’s class shone through when he opened the scoring by redirecting a cross from Kai Havertz. He was just beginning to get into his groove when he suffered a freak shoulder injury while defending a Villarreal corner. Ziyech had to be taken off just minutes before halftime, putting his chance of starting on Saturday in serious jeopardy. Even with the addition of Romelu Lukaku, Ziyech remains an integral part of the attack as its most creative wide man. Get well soon, Hakim.
Timo Werner (Center forward): 6/10
The best part of this performance is it could be one of the final times fans have to watch Timo Werner play as a lone striker for Chelsea. The announcement of Lukaku is imminent and while many speculate Werner is the biggest loser, I beg to differ. Lukaku has excelled at Inter Milan with a strike partner and Werner did the same at Leipzig. Even if they don’t play together up top, the German will be pushed out wide where he has been better for the Blues. In the Super Cup, Werner added nothing of substance other than a brilliant toe tap that found its way onto the keeper’s glove, forcing an excellent save early on. One could argue he was a dummy for Ziyech’s goal, but it was nothing like the run he had to free up Havertz in the Champions League final back in May.
Kai Havertz (Left winger): 7.5/10
Havertz is another attacker who could’ve been more involved. Much like Ziyech, however, his “bad day” saw him register an assist. It’s going to be a big season ahead for Havertz. Perhaps the most impressive part of the versatile front man’s game against Villarreal was his effort. Havertz never stopped sprinting throughout the entirety of the contest, often tracking back and putting pressure on when out of possession.
Christian Pulisic (Left winger): 5/10
Christian Pulisic struggled to make an impact on this game. Heavily. The American came on before halftime and his most significant moment came during extra time, which tells you everything you need to know. To be fair to the 22-year-old, there’s no telling if it was Ziyech’s absence or his introduction that caused the Blues to become unstable all over the pitch. Regardless, Pulisic simply has to have more of an influence going forward if he wants to get regular minutes. Flawless penalty though.
Jorginho (Central midfielder): 8/10
The now three-time European Champion came on in the second half with one task: steady the ship. He went on to do just that. Chelsea may not have scored a winner during his time on the field, but the Blues didn’t lose the match either. Chelsea couldn’t hold onto the ball for a majority of the second half, making careless passes and getting caught in possession left and right. Jorginho fixed all of these problems and even got the opportunity to make Sergio Asenjo look silly in the penalty shootout.
Mason Mount (Left winger): 7.5/10
One could definitely tell it was Mason Mount’s first game back from break. Not because he was bad but because he wasn’t himself. Mount had a few touches that were simply too heavy and some passes didn’t end up exactly where he intended. He was still a solid substitute made by Tuchel who improved the team from the moment he came on. Mount made the most of his chance by sinking his penalty en route to the victory.
Andreas Christensen (Centerback): 6.5/10
Andreas Christensen didn’t offer much that Zouma didn’t to be quite honest. He earns a decent rating in his first game back into the fray—nothing to write home about though.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Right wingback): 7/10
Cesar Azpilicueta wasn’t exactly the most inspiring right wingback substitute, just the most match ready amongst the bunch. Chalobah was playing too well at right centerback, so Tuchel opted to take Hudson-Odoi off instead, in favor of the Spaniard. Azpilicueta performed his duties well, he just slowed the Blues’ attack down a bit. Much like those mentioned above, his penalty was also perfect in every way, shape and form. He’s a Club World Cup away from having won it all.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Goalkeeper): 10/10
Tuchel’s decision to sub on Arrizabalaga shortly before the penalty shootout was puzzling to those who clearly do not remember the 2019 Europa League semifinal second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt. Arrizabalaga is a larger than life figure during spot kicks and he proved that once again on Wednesday. The Spanish goalkeeper kept the Blues in it after Havertz missed the opener and made two excellent saves to complete Chelsea’s come from behind win in penalties. The Man of the Match award goes to Arrizabalaga for his heroic effort between the sticks on the world’s largest stage. I said I would give him a perfect score if he helped the Blues win the Super Cup; Arrizabalaga delivered and I’m a man of my word.
Thomas Tuchel (Manager): 10/10
Tuchel probably couldn’t have managed this match any better as he can only do so much to impact the play on the pitch. The German made the right substitutions at the right times and picked the correct starting XI. He gets his second European trophy with Chelsea, it’s sure to be one of many pieces of silverware he’ll rack up during his time in west London.
What would you rate each player from the match? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!