Chelsea vs Brighton player ratings: Dread, draws and dropped points

Christian Pulisic (Right wingback): 6/10

Christian Pulisic was deployed as a right wingback and had a very average game. The American international couldn’t showcase his true ability. Marc Cucurella and other Brighton players turned out to be a handful for Pulisic and he didn’t get many chances to go forward.

Jorginho (Central midfielder): 6/10

The Italian midfielder had a very quiet first half and didn’t have much to do as Brighton had most of the ball. In the second half, as the Seagulls piled on the pressure on the hosts, Jorginho struggled majorly. The midfielder kept giving the ball away with bad first touches. His passing was nowhere near the level he had showcased before.

Mateo Kovacic (Central midfielder): 6.5/10

Mateo Kovacic started his first game in the Premier League since October and looked rusty from the get-go. Giving the ball away cheaply and getting dispossessed were a regular occurrence in the Croatians game on Wednesday as the Blues’ exhausted midfield got overrun.

Reece James (Left wingback): 5/10

Reece James started the game on the left-hand side of the pitch but his game was short-lived as the English international had to be taken off due to an injury. It’s unfortunately another big worry for Chelsea. He was replaced by Marcos Alonso in the 28′.

Marcos Alonso (Left wingback): 5/10

Alonso came on for an injured James in the 28′ and looked shaky and gassed from the off. He had a hard time dealing with the pace and quick feet of Lamptey. Alonso should have gotten to rest but it seems as if no one can get any opportunities to recharge due to the extreme circumstances.

N’Golo Kante (Central midfielder): 7/10

N’Golo Kante came on for a struggling Hudson-Odoi in the 67′ and changed the complexion of the game. After his introduction, Chelsea had a lot of the ball and played better-attacking football. The ultimate game-changer even though the Blues dropped points.