Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham player ratings: Koulibaly shines with strike

Reece James of Chelsea (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Reece James of Chelsea (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
2 of 4
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Reece James of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their sides second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Reece James of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their sides second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 7/10

Edouard Mendy did not have much to do in the first half. The only notable thing the Senegalese international did was save the effort from Ryan Sessegnon, which would have likely been flagged for offside if it had gone in. In the second half, Mendy had to make a few saves, but the goalkeeper couldn’t have done much to avoid the two goals he ultimately conceded. All in all, it was a decent outing for Chelsea’s No. 1 between the sticks.

Reece James (Right centerback): 9/10

Reece James was the best out of the lot from Chelsea in this game. The English international was deployed at right centerback to cope with the pace of Heung-min Son and James was very comfortable in the first half. In the second half, he played the majority of the game in his preferred position of right wingback. He scored the second goal for Chelsea, which almost sealed the deal and won all three points for the Blues. But in the end, it was James who was the closest to the ball after Harry Kane headed it toward the goal in the 95’—not that James could have done anything better to avoid the shot from finding the back of the net.

Thiago Silva (Centerback): 6/10

The Brazilian veteran had a very quiet game this time around. With not much-attacking threat from Spurs in the first half, Silva was barely seen in action. In the second half, when the tempo gathered pace, he was caught out twice. One occasion was when Harry Kane was through but missed the target due to a scuffed effort. The second time came in the last play of the match when Kane leaped ahead to give THFC the equalizer. Not the best of games from the rather reliable stalwart.

Kalidou Koulibaly (Left centerback): 8/10

Kalidou Koulibaly had a great game. Initially, the Senegalese international was a bit clumsy on the ball, giving the ball away and misplacing passes, but as the game went on, he settled down well. In the 19th minute, Koulibaly marked his Stamford Bridge debut with a stunning volley from a corner to give Chelsea the lead. The partnership between Koulibaly and Silva seems to be the one that could prove crucial for the club. It appears as though the Blues found the best possible replacement for Antonio Rudiger.