Chelsea suffered a shocking 4-1 home defeat to Brentford on Saturday as supporters protested against the Ricketts family outside Stamford Bridge. Overall, it was a really shocking loss after the Blues went ahead in the opening minutes of the second half. The Bees responded with three goals in quick succession to fire themselves ahead, a lead they’d hold onto for the remainder of the match. Chelsea dropped just its fifth game in all competitions as Thomas Frank’s men left SW6 with all three points.
Here is how each player fared for the Blues in their disheartening defeat to Brentford:
Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 6/10
The Senegalese international started very sluggishly, gifting Ivan Toney a chance on goal with a poor pass out in the opening moments of the game. Edouard Mendy also required treatment on a knee injury in the opening period, but he was still able to continue. After the break, he was scored on three times in quick succession as he was unusually exposed by the defence in front of him. A day to forget for the excellent goalkeeper as the Bees found the back of the net four times.
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Cesar Azpilicueta (Right back): 6/10
Cesar Azpilicueta started in the right back position against Brentford. The Chelsea captain was more reserved throughout as a result. He did not make many attacking runs and when he did overlap, Hakim Ziyech rarely passed the ball to him. Azpilicueta dropped to the right of a back three late on and he looked more comfortable, but the match was already given away by then.
Thiago Silva (Centerback): 5/10
Thiago Silva was looking very uncomfortable throughout, a very rare trait from the Brazilian ace. Brentford’s front two of Bryan Mbeumo and Toney kept him on his toes, constantly dragging him out of position both in a back three and back four. Silva became more composed when the Blues switched to a back three and he slotted into the center. However, he was really poor overall.
Antonio Rudiger (Centerback): 5/10
After a missed first half strike from Antonio Rudiger, the German centerback left spectators in awe with a 35-yard drive that found the back of the net. 12 minutes later, Brentford had found the back of the net three times as the Bees gave Rudiger no time to enjoy his world class goal. He was guilty of causing the third and fourth as a failed clearance landed in the path of Yoane Wisse for the latter. Rudiger—compared to what we are used to seeing from him—was clearly having an off day at the office..
Marcos Alonso (Left back): 4/10
Marcos Alonso started the game for just two reasons: his height and attacking prowess. He didn’t provide any positive play in either regard. The Spaniard was terrible in one-on-one situations as he attacked down the left flank, attacks seemingly always broke down whenever he tried to get forward. The veteran will need to step up his game going forward with Ben Chilwell still sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.