Chelsea has played their last preseason game and many can agree that it has been a good preseason. The attacking has looked sharp, though the defending and game control were shaky at times. Against Dortmund, Mauricio Pochettino lined up what many would assume to be the lineup for the first game of the season, injuries considered. Here is how the Pride of London thinks the players performed individually.
Chelsea player ratings vs Dortmund
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Goalkeeper: 7
Arrizabalaga was very good, coming out to sweep and distribute impeccably. Chelsea is linked to Brighton’s Robert Sanchez, a link that’s baffling to many, as the Blues’ No. 1 is the better keeper and had a much better 22/23 season than Sanchez. According to Sofascore, Arrizabalaga in fact averaged a 73% save rate last season, compared to the 62% of Sanchez. He also averaged a 42% long-ball accuracy, compared to 32% of Sanchez. The only way the links make sense is if Sanchez is being brought in to be the backup.
Reece James, Right back: 7.5
James had a hard time against Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi, but he handled it relatively well. His ball-winning, ball retention, and distribution were superb.
Thiago Silva, Centerback: 8
Silva was Chelsea’s best player by some distance, making 10 defensive actions and not getting dribbled past. His distribution was equally fantastic, even creating the best chance of the game by sending a 70-yard long ball over the Dortmund defense to Nicolas Jackson, who unfortunately missed.
Levi Colwill, Centerback: 7
Colwill handled his challenges very well, winning all duels he contested in the first half, though he only won 1/4 aerial duels in the second half. He also moved the ball very well though.
Ben Chilwell, Left back: 7.5
Chilwell was key for Chelsea down the left flank. His ball movement was very good, but his defending left a lot to be desired, though he was part of a defense that didn’t give up a single shot in the first half.
Enzo Fernandez, Central midfielder: 6.5
Fernandez’s passing, distribution and defending were abysmal. In the first half, he won 0/2 tackles he contest and just 1/6 ground duels he contested. He had no control on the midfield.
Conor Gallagher, Central midfielder: 6.5
Gallagher was better than his Argentine midfield partner, but not by much. His passing was very good, but he also won just 3/8 ground duels, which is not ideal for a central midfielder. The Blues might not be able to do without Moises Caicedo.
Carney Chukwuemeka, Central attacking midfielder: 6.5
Chukwuemeka started poorly, losing all the duels he contested, and creating zero chances in the first half. His performances improved in the second half as he completed his only take-on of the half and won all three ground duels he contested.
Christopher Nkunku, Left winger: 6.5
Nkunku had to be taken off 22 minutes into the game for a suspected knee injury and everyone would be hoping that he is ready for the start of the new season.
Raheem Sterling, Right winger: 5.5
Sterling was underwhelming, and not for the first time this preseason. He won 2/9 duels he contested and his dribbling was, once again,poor.
Nicolas Jackson, Center forward: 7
Jackson showed very good movement again and got on the end of the best chances of the game, especially in the first half, but his finishing was rubbish. He also created chances, including a clear-cut chance.
Mykhailo Mudryk (23′): 7
Mudryk was a lot more effective than either Nkunku or Sterling. The Ukraine winger completed 3/7 dribbles and won 5/11 ground duels. He might start the season ahead of Raheem Sterling.
Malo Gusto (73′): 7
Gusto helped Chelsea escape pressure. His passing was clean and he helped out defensively.
Marc Cucurella (73′): 7
Cucurella was quite good defensively after coming on. In the 17 minutes he was on the pitch, he won 4/4 tackles and 4/5 ground duels.
Ian Maatsen (73′): 6
Maatsen was inconsequential, though Chelsea was under a lot of pressure when he was on the pitch so he didn’t really get ample chances to affect the game. It is telling that Pochettino is willing to play Maatsen everywhere except his actual position: left back.
Bashir Humphreys (73′): 6
Humphreys did nothing while on the pitch, and it doesn’t make for good reading that Chelsea conceded when Silva was subbed off for him.
Mason Burstow (81′): N/A
Burstow was by far the best-performing substitute on the pitch. He got on the end of Fernandez’s flick-on to tie the game 1-1. He doesn’t get a rating because he didn’t play up to 10 minutes.
Lewis Hall (81′): N/A
Hall did literally nothing in the nine minutes he was on the pitch.