Chelsea has been doing very well in the Premier league Summer Series so far in their preparation for the 2023/24 season. After winning the first game 4-3 against a Brighton & Hove Albion team that looked able to tear the Blues apart, they have now tied Newcastle United. It was a very good performance across board, and there were some truly standout performances, but here is how each players fared:
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Goalkeeper: 6
Arrizabalaga was OK. His passing wasn’t great, but the goal that was conceded was not due to poor shot stopping. Reports have come out that Pochettino wants his distribution to be worked on, which is not surprising. Per FBRef, his long ball accuracy over the last four league seasons is 42%, completing 58% of his attempted chipped passes and completing 52% of passes longer than 30 yards. Compare these numbers to a top distributor like Liverpool’s Alisson, who boasts a 46% long ball accuracy over the past three league seasons and a 57% passing accuracy of longer than 30 yards, and you can see why Pichettino would want an improvement in the Spaniard’s passing numbers.
Reece James, Right back: 7.5
James wore the armband on his first appearance in the Premier League Summer Series. He looked fit, constantly making himself an outlet for Chelsea’s defenders and receiving switches of play down Chelsea’s right flank.
Trevoh Chalobah, Centerback: 8
Chalobah was very good on the night. His reading of the game was good and his recovery was even better. He combined well with Bashir Humphreys.
Bashir Humphreys, Centerback: 7.5
Humphreys was good though he misplaced a few passes, putting the Blues under pressure. Like Mauricio Pochettino said about Levi Colwill, the youngster did better than he was expected to.