The Pride of London score the Blues as Chelsea draw 0-0 at Brentford. Player ratings from a lacklustre Blues stalemate against London rivals
For the whole first half, Brentford were the better team and from the start were on top and pilling on the pressure. Ivan Toney came close multiple times but Kepa Arrizabalaga continued his impressive form and kept Chelsea from conceding. Being given his full debut, Armando Broja was the best Blues attacker on the pitch and came close to scoring but lacked the play in the final third. The second half too was same but the away team started to dominate the ball after the hour mark and Brentford were troubling the visitors with counter attack. CFC came close to scoring a few times but the impeccable defending by Brentford cancelled out any effort put on by Chelsea. A pretty disappointing and lacklustre attacking display from the Blues.
How each Chelsea player fared in a disappointing game vs Brentford
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Goalkeeper): 8/10
Continuing his impressive display from Villa Park and involved from the start. Made multiple close range effort saves from Toney and looked commanding in his box. In the second half even though Chels‘ started to dominate the ball, Kepa was called into action to keep Brentford at bay. Another brilliant performance from Kepa.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Centerback): 7/10
Throughout the first half, Azpilicueta looked very secured on the right side of the Chelsea defence and even put in a few dangerous deliveries inside the Brentford box. In the second half, Cesar Azpilicueta’s experience came through and helped keep Brentford from scoring, making important tackles and interceptions.
Trevoh Chalobah (Centerback): 7/10
Has been the bet Chelsea defender during the first half, being at the right place at the right time. Made multiple interceptions and tackles to deny Brentford attackers from scoring. The second half too went pretty much the same Chalobah as he continued his impressive display from first half.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Centerback): 6/10
Koulibaly playing on the left, has been the long ball outlet of Chelsea in the first half and has put in some teasing deliveries to trouble Brentford. Defensively, the Senegalese international looked off early on and the pacy Brentford attackers have troubled him. In the second half too his lack of pace was the biggest shortcoming which put the Chelsea defense in trouble.
Ruben Loftus Cheek (Right Wingback): 6.5/10
Playing at the right wingback role, it was evident to see that it was not the best of positions for Loftus Cheek. Defensively, the English international was a bit suspect but as Chelsea got more of the ball, Loftus Cheek was heavily involved in the final third play but none of his involvement could chance the result of the game.
Mason Mount (Central Midfielder): 6/10
Initially starting in a deeper role, Mount was anonymous but after the introduction of Kovacic, Mount got to play in a more advanced role and was more involved in the creative role for Chelsea. But his lack of involvement in the final third was a bit disappointing. Mount was replaced by Chukwuemeka in the 62nd minute.
Jorginho (Central Midfielder): 6/10
From the get go it seemed that the Brentford midfield would get the better of the Italian midfielder due to his lack of pace and physicality and it was like that throughout the night. Jorginho got over run by the Brentford attackers very easily and his involvement could only be seen once CFC dominated the possession.
Marc Cucurella (Left Wingback): 7/10
Cucurella was caught off position a few times when defending in the first half, allowing Brentford to progress via the left. But apart from that, defensively the Spaniard looked calm and composed when on the ball and passing forward. Cucurella was replaced by Christian Pulisic in the 61st minute.
Conor Gallagher (Right Winger): NA
An early injury forced Conor Gallagher off the field and he was replaced by Mateo Kovacic in the 16th minute.
Armando Broja (Striker): 7/10
Making his full Chelsea debut, Armando Broja was easily the best Chelsea attacker in the first half with him being involved whenever he got the chance. The youngster’s holdup play was great with sometimes his first touch letting him down but overall a good display. Broja was replaced by Raheem Sterling in the 62nd minute.
Kai Havertz (Left Winger): 6/10
Kai Havertz was for the majority of the first half anonymous but as the game progressed and Chelsea got more of possession, Havertz started to be more involved and troubled the Brentford backline with his link up play with Kovacic. Havertz was replaced by Aubameyang in the 81st minute.
Mateo Kovacic (Central Midfielder): 7/10
Mateo Kovacic came on for Conor Gallagher in the 16th minute and slotted into the midfield alongside Jorginho. Throughout the game the Croatian midfielder was involved in the final third multiple times but he could not penetrate the Brentford defence at all.
Christian Pulisic (Left Wingback): 6.5/10
Christian Pulisic came on for Marc Cucurella in the 62nd minute and was majorly involved in the Brentford half and troubled their backline but they turned out to be impenetrable. Provided the fresh legs Chelsea majorly needed in a dull game.
Carney Chukwuemeka (Right Winger): 6/10
Carney Chukwuemeka came on for Mason Mount in the 62nd minute and was involved in a multiple of forward plays, even forcing David Raya into making a few saves. His physicality in the Brentford half was very encouraging to see for such a young player.
Raheem Sterling (Striker): 6.5/10
Raheem Sterling came on for Armando Broja in the 62nd minute and probably had the best chance for Chelsea to score and go in front but the adept defending of the Bees cancelled all of Sterling’s effort to score.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Left Winger): 6.5/10
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came on for Kai Havertz in the 81st minute and was majorly involved in the wing play for CFC and did have a few efforts on goal but all were comfortably saved by Raya.