The game started in the worst possible way for Chelsea as they went behind in the 7th minute thanks to some poor defending from all of the back four. But from then on the Blues were in full control of the game and went on to equalise in the 18th minute through Raheem Sterling who calmly placed the ball in the bottom corner.
And, in the 30th minute, full time debutant Denis Zakaria lashed his effort into the goal to mark his much awaited debut. In the second half, Zagreb threatened the Chelsea goal early on forcing Edouard Mendy into making a save. That was as good as it got for Zagreb as CFC dominated possession but couldn’t extend their lead despite having a number of great chances. The game ended in worry as Ben Chilwell pulled his hamstring right at the end with him being carried off the pitch.
Here’s how each Chelsea player fared in a routine win against the Croatian outfit:
1. Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 6/10
Probably should have done better with his effort to save Zagreb’s first goal. Apart from that, wasn’t involved much in the first half. Early in the second half, Mendy was called into action making a close range save to keep the lead intact. That turned out to be his last impact on the game.
2. Cesar Azpilicueta (Centerback): 6/10
The captain should have done better defending the play when Zagreb opened scoring. After that point on Azpilicueta looked solid, interception the ball away from Zagreb attackers and advancing down the wing delivering some good crosses.
3. Kalidou Koulibaly (Centerback): 6/10
Got caught in no mans land for Zagreb’s goal and had an injury scare but walked it off. Apart from that Koulibaly looked solid enough throughout the first half. Not much involved in the second half before he was replaced by Thiago Silva in the 64th minute just to avoid any injury scare.
4. Trevoh Chalobah (Centerback): 7/10
Trevoh Chalobah was by far the best Chelsea defender on the pitch, being resolute and at the riught place at the right time throughout the game. In the second half, Chalobah went on to win three headers while attacking Zagreb’s goal abd probably deserved a goal for his effort but none the less another great performance.
5. Ben Chilwell (Left Wingback): 6/10
Ben Chilwell played majority of the game in Zagreb’s half but couldn’t affect the game in terms of helping the team score any goals. But in the end Chilwell seemed to have pulled his hamstring which looked bad at first glance, making all Chelsea and England fans worried with important fixtures and the world cup in sight.
6. Denis Zakaria (Central Midfielder): 8/10
Zakaria had the best possible start to his Chelsea career, intercepting play and being a solid figure in the midfield. Adding to that, he put Chelsea in front on the 30th minute lashing his shot just from inside the box. Quite an impressive display showcasing how Zakaria can bring his physicality and passing range to Chelsea’s game. Zakaria was replaced by Ruben Loftus Cheek in the 71st minute.
7. Jorginho (Central Midfielder): 7/10
The Italian international looked comfortable throughout the game, making space in the midfield, spreading the play and playing good passes forward. A good game overall by Jorginho in the midfield.
8. Raheem Sterling (Right Wingback): 7/10
Showed great composure on the ball to get Chelsea level and again become the leading goalscorer from the club. Throughout the game, Sterling looked somewhat back to his best and now seems to be the best time for him to get back to his best. Sterling was replaced by Christian Pulisic in the 83rd minute.
9. Mason Mount (Right Winger): 6/10
Mount has been a menace to the Zagreb defence, making forward runs and spliting thier defence open. One of these runs resulted in Zakaria putting Chelsea in the lead. In the second half with Chelsea dominating the possession, Mount still seemed a bit anonymous and drifted in and out of the game.
10. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Striker): 7/10
Made a great run forward to open up the Dinamo Zagreb defense and great link up play with Sterling helped Chelsea equalise. In the second half, Aubameyang came close to scoring multiple times only to be denied by the post. Overall a good performance before the biggest game of the season for Chelsea. Aubameyang was replced by Armando Broja in the 64th minute
11. Kai Havertz (Left Winger): 6/10
Had a decent first half even though the German international was playing a bit deeper behind the striker. Came close to scoring and increasing CFC’s lead but to no avail. But it does seem like Havertz link up play and understanding with Sterling and Aubameyang. Havertz was replaced by Conor Gallagher in the 64th minute.
12. Conor Gallagher (Central Midfielder): 6/10
Conor Gallagher came on for Kai Havertz in the 64th minute and playing as a midfielder in the center of the field, Gallagher was majorly involved in the attacking play for Chelsea. Would be disappointed not to score a goal after missing from point blank range.
13. Armando Broja (Striker): 5/10
Armando Broja came on for Aubameyang in the 64th minute and despite having a good 30 minutes, couldn’t have any efforts on goal being more influencial on the wing.
14. Thiago Silva (Centerback): 6/10
Thiago Silva came on for Kalidou Koulibaly in the 64th minute just to avoid any injury for the Senegalese international and secure up the Blues defence. The veteran would be disappointed that he didn’t extend Chelsea’s lead with the amount of chances he had.
15. Ruben Loftus Cheek (Central Midfielder): 5/10
Ruben Loftus Cheek came on for Denis Zakaria in the 71st minute and gave a solid enough display to help secure the win.
16. Christian Pulisic (Left Winger): 6/10
Christian Pulisic came on for Raheem Sterling in the 83rd minute and came close to an assist only for Gallagher to hit his point blank effort straight at the goalkeeper.