With a Champions League victory very much necessary for the West London outfit, Chelsea welcomed Italian champions AC Milan to their backyard.
Initially, it seemed that the Italian side would give the Blues a run for their money, and in the first few minutes, they dominated the play. But that was as good as it got with them as Chelsea grew in the game as time went on. After a series of threatening corners from Ben Chilwell, CFC took the lead through a messy goal by Wesley Fofana in the 24th minute to give Graham Potter’s men an important lead.
Yet the night was short for the young French defender as he was forced off the field through injury. The only real chance for Milan came in the first half stoppage time when Kepa saved Charles de Ketelaere’s effort. After that in the second half, in the space of six minutes, Chelsea scored two goals in quick succession by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Reece James to put the
game to bed in the 62nd minute. After that, it seemed as if the Italian side had accepted their
fate as there was no real urge from them to score. Here is how each Chelsea player fared in an impressive and much needed display against the side from Italy.
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea (Goalkeeper): 6/10
Throughout the first half, Kepa had nothing to do but his major involvement came
late in the stoppage time when the Spaniard had to make an instinctive save low
down. But the second half didn’t change much as Kepa had nothing to do at all. Easy
clean sheet.
2. Wesley Fofana (Centerback): 7/10
Wesley Fofana was given the all important task of keeping the inform Rafael Leao
quiet from the right side and the young French defender did quite well. The night
went on to improve for the new signing as he scored his first goal in the 24th minute
to give Chelsea the all important lead. However, just before half time Fofana was forced off
due to an injury he sustained while having a duel with Leao.
3. Thiago Silva (Centerback): 8/10
Thiago Silva was a constant threat to the Milan defense as he kept winning headers
in the penalty box, one of which set up Fofana’s goal. The veteran was solid
throughout the game and defensively very astute, keeping Olivier Giroud quiet
throughout the game.
4. Kalidou Koulibaly (Centerback): 7/10
Kalidou Koulibaly had a very nervy start to the game and was reckless with his
tackling. But as the game went on, the Senegalese international settled down and
got rid of the ball whenever needed. Not his best performance but a decent outing
for the defender.
5. Ben Chilwell (Left Wingback): 7.5/10
Ben Chilwell had a very good game but was outshone by his fellow wingback partner
this game completely. Defensively solid and kept the Milan defense on their feet, it is
safe to say that Chilwell is now somewhat coming back to a decent level after
recovering from his injury.
6. Ruben Loftus Cheek (Central Midfielder): 7.5/10
Ruben Loftus Cheek started the game for the Blues, and it seems he could very well
be an important player for Potter this season. Loftus Cheek brings a sense of
physicality in the midfield that Chelsea completely lacks whenever Jorginho starts.
The English midfielder was everywhere whenever needed and all in all, it was
another solid outing for Loftus Cheek.
7. Mateo Kovacic (Central Midfielder): 7/10
The Croatian international from the get-go was all energetic on and off the ball. His
impressive passing range and defensive ability to win tackles and interceptions make
him the best Chelsea midfielder. Kovacic was replaced by Jorginho in the 64th minute
to give him some much deserved rest.
8. Reece James (Right Wingback): 9/10
Along with Thiago Silva, Reece James was the best Chelsea player on the pitch.
Defensively solid and in the attack set up the second goal for Aubameyang and
himself scored the third in a thumping effort to put the game to bed in the 61st
minute.
9. Mason Mount (Right Winger): 7.5/10
The England international would be disappointed not to get any form of goal
involvement in this game as he was majorly involved in the build-up play throughout
his time on the pitch. In the first half, Mount came close to scoring, but his effort was
blocked by Kalulu. In the second half too, Mount’s long-range, cross field passes
helped Chelsea get out of dangerous possessions. Mount was replaced by Kai
Havertz in the 73 rd minute.
10. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Striker): 7/10
All first half, Aubameyang was anonymous and was barely involved in the game but
being the poacher he is, all he needed was one chance, which is what the Gabon
international got, and he doubled Chelsea’s lead in the 56th minute. In the 64th
minute, Aubameyang was replaced by Conor Gallagher.
11. Raheem Sterling (Left Winger): 7/10
Raheem Sterling has been the best Blues attacking player up till this point but
today he lacked that final pass in the Milan half. The England international had a
couple of opportunities to either finish his chance or slide Aubameyang in but he
couldn’t do either. But still, the number of times he progressed the ball and kept winning fouls was enough. Sterling was replaced by Armando Broja in the 75th
minute.
12. Armando Broja (Striker): 6/10
The game had pretty much died out when Broja came into the contest. Albania’s striker made a few runs but couldn’t influence the game much.
13. Jorginho (Midfielder): 6.5/10
Jorginho came on for Mateo Kovacic in the 66th minute after CFC went three-nil
up and his main job was to calm down and control the game which he did very well.
14. Connor Gallagher (Central Midfielder): 6/10
Conor Gallagher came on for Aubameyang in the 65th minute and was involved a bit
in the attacking play but couldn’t do much.
15. Trevoh Chalobah (Centerback): 6.5/10
Trevoh Chalobah came on for the injured Wesley Fofana in the 38th minute. And just
like Fofana, Chalobah dealt well with Rafael Leao and prevented him from getting
Milan back in with a chance.
16. Kai Havertz (Right Winger): 6/10
Havertz came on for Mount in the 74th minute and was not much involved
in the game apart from spreading the play and dribbling the ball out of danger.