Chelsea has won the Premier League Summer Series by collecting seven points from a possible 10. The Blues won two games and drew against Newcastle United, scoring seven goals and conceding four. A win in this West London derby sealed the tournament win. Mauricio Pochettino’s men were in complete control in the first half, but were utterly dominated in the second half, albeit that was after 11 changes were made to the Blues side of the pitch. Here is how Pride of London rates the player performances:
Gabriel Slonina, Chelsea Goalkeeper: 6
Slonina struggled to impress in his first showing for Chelsea. His passing was not great, and his pass selection under pressure wasn’t anything to write home about either.
Malo Gusto, Right back: 7
Gusto was very good as usual, including his passing and tackling. He wasn’t that involved, but when he was called upon he kept play moving and didn’t give the ball away.
Thiago Silva, Centerback: 8
Silva was imperious again. Strong in the air and on the ground. His passing was impeccable. He rose high to head home CFC’s lead from Ben Chilwell’s superb cross.
Bashir Humphreys, Centerback: 7.5
Humphreys was solid alongside Silva. His passing and pass selection was very good, as well as his reading of the game.
Ben Chilwell, Left back: 7.5
Chilwell was good down the left flank, often inverting and sometimes operating from more central areas and vacating the left flank for Christopher Nkunku. His execution was highlighted by his pinpoint cross to Silva who scored Chelsea’s first goal.
Enzo Fernandez, Central midfielder: 7
Fernandez was very good in midfield as he received the ball from the defenders and distributed it with usual impeccable accuracy. He did miss the clear-cut chance he got, and one is tempted to wonder what the Argentine was doing in that position in the first place.
Andrey Santos, Central midfielder: 7.5
Santos was quite good against Fulham, compared to his other performances in Chelsea Blue. His first touch was so good, affording him an extra one or two seconds on the ball when Pochettino’s men were building up. His pressing was also very good, stealing the ball up the pitch in the first half. His reading of the game was superb, stepping in to make key interceptions when he was on the pitch.
Carney Chukwuemeka, Central midfielder: 7.5
Chukwuemeka was dropping way too deep in the first half until he was told to stay further forward. He was good though, carrying the ball and releasing it quickly for maximum effect. He was dribbling and actually doing something with the ball after getting past players.
Christopher Nkunku, Left winger: 7.5
Nkunku was often on the left flank cutting inside. He was consistently helping Chelsea relieve pressure by making himself an outlet. He was also very good at tracking back.
Raheem Sterling, Right winger: 6
Sterling was underwhelming and failed to impact the game in any real way.
Mason Burstow, Center forward: 6
Burstow was ineffective, perhaps he was isolated, but the youngster was practically anonymous.
Lucas Bergstrom (61′): 7
Bergstrom made a save when called upon in the second half, and that’s all that was expected of him.
Reece James (46′), Right back: 6.5
James was fine without being impressive. He wore the armband when Silva was not on the pitch, which implies that he is very much in the captaincy hierarchy, but whether he’s ahead of both Silva and Kepa Arrizabalaga remains to be seen.
Trevoh Chalobah (46′): 7
Unfortunately, he was good until he was subbed off as a precaution when he went down.
Levi Colwill (46′): 6.5
Colwill wasn’t great. Chelsea came under a lot of pressure in the second half and while he was not called upon much, his positioning during one counterattack was poor. His passing was good though.
Marc Cucurella (46′): 7.5
Cucurella was very good. Combining well with Nicolas Jackson and playing an important role in building out from the back through the flanks.
Alfie Gilchrist (60′): 7
Gilchrist’s positioning was better than Colwill, making two clearances.
Conor Gallagher (46′): 6.5
Gallagaher was anonymous save for a shot that Bernd Leno saved comfortably.
Cesare Casadei (46′): 6
Casadei was nowhere to be found. At some point, you forgot he was on the pitch, though that was generally because Fulham was much better than Chelsea in the second half and the Blues were under immense pressure.
Ian Maatsen (46′): 6
A whole host of Chelsea substitutes were practically passengers in the second half, but Maatsen while not falling squarely in this category, also was nothing to write home about.
Angelo (47′): 6
Angleo definitely falls into the above category of passengers.
Lewis Hall (61′): 7
Hall was really good, moving the ball very well and even at some point dribbling past three people in midfield before being hacked down, winning the Blues a free kick.
Nicolas Jackson (46′): 7.5
Jackson was extremely effective. He makes it very easy for other players to combine with him because he makes such good runs. He ran the channels really well. Electric.