Chelsea 2-1 Watford player ratings: Ross Barkley the unlikely hero

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Chelsea’s Brazilian striker Kenedy (R) vies with Watford’s Norwegian striker Joshua King (L) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge in London on May 22, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Reece James (Right wingback): 8/10

After a star-studded show against Leicester City this past Thursday, this was an unusually quiet turn up from one of the Chelsea’s best performers this season. That was at least until his last minute assist on Barkley’s winner. Most of the positive attacks of the Blues came through the opposite flank, with only glimpses of the young Englishman’s powerful surges on display—which includes his great cross for the winner. Let’s not also forget, he gave the sumptuous cross too for the equalizer against Leicester.

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

Tuchel’s key player has had a hard time lately with injuries hampering his form and age taking its toll. With nothing much to lose on the day, he was scarcely troubled by a poorly organized Watford midfield. It allowed the Frenchman to go about his business and register a Kante-like performance on the day.

Saul (Central midfielder): 7/10

The Atletico Madrid loanee has definitely not given the Chelsea board any reason to retain him during his loan spell in west London, despite arriving to great fanfare. Yet, he got better and better with every appearance he made and the player fans saw on Sunday is a far more developed one than the man who was a disaster against Aston Villa on his debut. The Spaniard kept things neat and tidy and showed a lot of battling ability.

Kenedy (Left wingback): 8/10

The Brazilian left-footer was given a rare start, which surely raised a lot of eyebrows, but it didn’t take long before he justified his inclusion in the starting XI. He ran rampant down the left flank and demonstrated that his left leg could be pretty potent tool in his arsenal on a good day. Kenedy most notably capped his performance by assisting the opener. It was definitely not the toughest defence he is likely face, for sure, but you can only play who is in front of you.

Ben Chilwell (Left wingback): N/A

Ben Chilwell made his triumphant return to football in the 89′ following his ACL tear.

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