1. TIMO WERNER (8.4)

If nothing else, Timo Werner’s indefatigable determination and unwavering resilience will ensure that however the rest of his Chelsea career turns out, he will likely be a cult hero around Stamford Bridge. We also seem to play better with him in the lineup, than without, though that may be just a bit of observational bias.

His song is to the tune of “Just Can’t Get Enough” by Depeche Mode, and while we could certainly handle a few more goals from him, his attitude and willingness to keep putting in the work, to keep trying, to keep putting himself into the action is inspiring. And that makes the times that he does get his justly deserved rewards all the more uplifting.

2. TREVOH CHALOBAH (8.2)

Fun fact: Trevoh Chalobah is the only player other than Romelu Lukaku to have more than 1 league goal to his name this season, and the only player other than Lukaku and Werner to have more than 1 goal in all competitions.

Oh, and he keeps playing excellent defense whenever called upon, which continues to happen with wonderful regularity (7 appearances in our 11 games, 5 starts).

3. RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK (7.7)

And speaking of Academy excellence, Loftus-Cheek just keeps growing in importance this season, from a practically forgotten option to being called upon in our time of need, and rewarding that trust with an important performance in the center of the pitch.

vs. SOUTHAMPTON (PL, H, W 3-1)

EXCEPTIONAL (9.0+): —

EXCELLENT (8.0-8.9): Werner (8.4), Chalobah (8.2)

GOOD (7.0-7.9): Loftus-Cheek (7.7), Rüdiger (7.4), Silva (7.4), Mount (7.4, sub), Azpilicueta (7.3), Barkley (7.3, sub), Chilwell (7.1), Hudson-Odoi (7.0)

AVERAGE (6.0-6.9): Kovačić (6.9), Mendy (6.7), Lukaku (6.6), Jorginho (6.6, sub)

POOR (5.0-5.9): —

BAD (4.0-4.9): —

TERRIBLE (3.0-3.9): —

OVERALL