1. EDEN HAZARD - FL, AML | 7.8 |
Minutes played90 Touches80 Passes38*/48 Shots1/5 Take-ons5/11 Fouls suffered4 Blocks + INTs2 It really is too bad that Chelsea simply couldn't buy that second goal on Wednesday as the disappointment of the final scoreline has overshadowed what was a quintessential Hazard performance. It had everything except a goal, which probably drove Mourinho exactly as insane as his reaction to Hazard's miss in the 15th minute indicated (the one saved by the toe of center back Kaan Ayhan). But at least the future Ballon d'Or hopeful is getting his licks in. He had five shots for the second match in succession, which is a vast improvement over all those times last season when he didn't even pull the trigger once. Opta even credited him with 3 through balls as well, which is a loosely defined stat (no surprise there), but is not one usually seen in Hazard's statline. There's a decent piece in The Guardian from tolerable writer Barney Ronay, which puts forward the notion that Hazard is playing and "sparkling" so far this season with the burden of having to carry the entire team partially lifted by the summer signings. He's probably not wrong. |
2. FILIPE LUIS - DL | 7.4 |
Minutes played90 Touches80 Passes45/52 Tackles4/5 Clearances3/3 Blocks + INTs4 It's an enviable situation, really, to have three top class full backs on the team, even if that means that we had to wait until game number five to see Filipe Luis's first ever start for Chelsea. After a somewhat indifferent preseason, the best head of hair at Chelsea didn't disappoint and not only ably supported the attack up the left flank, especially early on -- showcasing a culture left foot, as the cliche goes, with a couple pinpoint crosses* -- but also provided defensive work comparable to what we've gotten used to from César Azpilicueta. It's worthwhile to take a quick peek at the Opta attacking dashboard for Schalke, as there's a fairly obvious gaping hole for them right where Filipe Luis makes his living. * Remember that cross for Drogba? Opta claims that wasn't a successful cross, if even a cross at all. Whaaaa? |
3. CESC FÀBREGAS - MC | 7.2 |
Minutes played90 Touches106 Passes68/81 Shots1*/3 Tackles3/6 Over 100 touches yet again, his first Chelsea goal, and another day of pulling the strings in attack (and raising questions about his defense), Fàbregas probably would've had a much higher rating had Chelsea converted their chances a bit better. Fàbregas of course was one of the bigger culprits in that respect as well, missing an absolutely glorious chance towards the end of the first half when he sailed his sidefooted effort from a little over 10 yards well over the bar. Bonus points for the Ashley Cole in Munich-esque chest-bang of the badge. |
OTHERS:
Courtois (6.7), Terry (6.2), Cahill (5.6), Ivanović (6.4), Ramires (6.1), Matić (6.4), Willian (7.2), Drogba (4.5)
SUBS:
Oscar (5.8), Rémy (6.3), Costa (6.2)
OVERALL: