A new and rejuvenated Chelsea welcomed Fulham at Stamford Bridge but could only secure a 0-0 draw and share the points against their West London rivals. Throughout the first half, it was a very equal affair between the two sides. The Blues looked like a team who were trying to find their feet and rightly so with so many new signings on the pitch. But the first big effort came from Fulham forcing Kepa into a good save around the 25th minute. Both teams cancelled each other out all half but just before the end of first period, Havertz came close to giving the home team the lead. Though the German struck the post after lobbing Leno.
In the second half, Fulham started the stronger team and forced Kepa into action but as the game went on Chelsea too attacked the visitor’s goal but the end product was very evidently lacking. David Datro Fofana came very close to scoring for the home side, only for Time Reid to clear his effort off the line. It was not the best of games to watch for neutrals, but there were encouraging signs for supporters. Here’s how each CFC player fared against a resolute Fulham side:
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga (Goalkeeper): 7/10
Made a great save to deny Fulham taking the lead in the first half. In the second half, Kepa was called more into action but never looked in danger of conceding. A rather comfortable night for the Spanish goalkeeper.
2. Reece James (Right Back): 6/10
Reece James made just his second start of the season after recovering from another long term injury and looked visibly in need of some game time. James lacked the sharpness in his gameplay but the English international still did well defensively. Reece James was replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta in the 60th minute.
3. Thiago Silva (Centerback): 7/10
Again Thiago Silva showed his brilliance in both defending and progressing the ball forward. The Brazilian veteran won the most number of arial duels along with Kai Havertz and kept the Fulham attackers at bay. The new contract for the Chelsea veteran can’t come any sooner.
4. Benoit Badiashile (Centerback): 7/10
The new defensive signing of Benoit Badiashile continues to impress as the young French defender started his third consecutive game and kept his third consecutive clean sheet for the Blues. On the ball, Badiashile looked very secure and progressed the ball very well. When tackling, the France international timed his tackles well and continue to showcase the pacy centerback Chelsea lacked, somewhat filling the void left by the departure of Antonio Rudiger.
5. Marc Cucurella (Left Back): 7/10
The Spaniard was guilty of giving away the ball a couple of times but it has to be said that Cucurella has a knack of knowing where to be and at what time. Cucurella made a few blocks when the visitors where on top and defensively looked very solid for most parts of the game. Cucurella was replaced by Ben Chilwell in the 84th minute.
6. Enzo Fernandes (Central Midfielder): 8/10
Chelsea’s most expensive signing started right after securing the move a couple of days ago and looked pretty much the complete midfielder Chelsea were looking for. From making key forward passes to intercepting ball in the middle of the field, Enzo did everything well by injecting in some much needed pace and physicality to the Chelsea midfield.
7. Conor Gallagher (Central Midfielder): 7/10
Conor Gallagher made his third consecutive start for the Blues and despite his disappointing corners which never passed the first defender, Gallagher was the most energetic midfielder for Chelsea. His pressing ability is what makes him the most valuable asset to the club and he even came very close to open the scoring for the Blues only to ripple the side netting.
8. Mason Mount (Central Attacking Midfielder): 6/10
Mason Mount throughout the game looked somewhat lost and it is clear to see that the English international has lost that goalscoring or even creating form. He did get involved in quite a few attacking plays but lacked that final passing ability which could put the Chelsea attackers through on goal. Mason Mount was replaced by David Fofana in the 75th minute.
9. Hakim Ziyech (Right Winger): 6/10
The man who wanted to leave the club but couldn’t do due to some technical error started the game and it has to be said that Hakim Ziyech’s professionalism needs to be commended. Some player, if in his position would have easily thrown in the towel and went on a holiday, but the Moroccan international dealt with the disappointment and went on with his game. Ziyech was one of the best attacking players on the pitch, crossing in dangerous deliveries throughout the first half. He was replaced by Raheem Sterling in the 60th minute.
10. Kai Havertz (Striker): 6/10
The German international came close a couple of times to give CFC the lead but was denied by both good defending and the post throughout the game. Overall, Havertz had pretty much a decent game as he did well in terms of hold up play and interlinking with other attackers but was also responsible of losing the ball one too many times.
11. Mykhailo Mudryk (Left Winger): 4/10
Barely involved in the game in first half as most of the game progressed throughout Ziyech. Showed glimpses of his bursting pace but overall, it was a disappointing outing for the Ukrainian winger. Mudryk was replaced by Noni Madueke at half time.
12. Noni Madueke (Left Winger): 6/10
Noni Madueke came on for Mykhailo Mudryk at half time and showcased his brilliant dribbling ability. Going past a couple of players seemed too easy for the young English winger but lacked that one final forward pass in his game. Despite not having any influencial impact on the game for the Blues, this one half of performance from Madueke was enough to excite any Chelsea fan.
13. Cesar Azpilicueta (Right Back): 6/10
Cesar Azpilicueta came on for Reece James in the 60th minute and looked ever so solid in the Chelsea defence. The Blues legend, who was presented with a memorabilia before the game for making more than 500 appearances for the club, did well to progress the ball forward and build some attacking play but nothing solid to impact the result of the game.
14. Raheem Sterling (Right Winger): 6/10
Raheem Sterling came on for Hakim Ziyech in the 60th minute and made his first appearance after suffering an injury against Manchester City in Premier League. After coming on, the England international brought some much-needed dribbling skills in the middle of the park after the team had failed to create anything solid from the wings. But throughout the time he was on the pitch, Sterling couldn’t create anything to impact the result of the game.
15. David Datro Fofana (Striker): 7/10
David Datro Fofana came on for Mason Mount in the 75th minute and was probably the best CFC attacking player on the pitch for the second half. The Ivorian international came the closest to scoring for the Blues as he rounded Leno, only for his effort to be saved by Tim Reid at the near post. His physicality on and off the ball is something which can be a real asset to the club moving forward.
16. Ben Chilwell (Left Back): 5/10
Ben Chilwell came on for Marc Cucurella in the 84th minute and gained some much needed game time after recovering from a long term injury. He couldn’t really influence the game and lacked the necessary sharpness.