Sheffield United 1-2 Chelsea; Players rating vs Sheffield United

 Timo Werner impressed with an assist and a penalty won for Chelsea in a 2-1 win against Sheffield United. This was one of those games where the chances and creativity lacked from both sides and Chelsea Managed to get all 3 points in a narrow match. Defensively Chelsea had shaky moments today but still, they defend it well for the majority of the match, and attacking wise they couldn’t create more chance against the stubborn Sheffield United defense. But in the end, Thomas Tuchel's side manager make it 3 wins a row and Chelsea climbed up to 5th in the table and just a point behind for the 4th place Liverpool. Tuchel goes with a 3-5-2 formation with a slight change of shape at front with some rotation as well and here is how the players how rated for this match.

 

Note;(GK-Goal Keeper, CB- Centre Back, LWB- Left Wing Back, RWB-Right Wing Back, CM- Centre Midfield, CAM- Centre Attacking Midfield, RF- ST-Striker, )

 

GK- Edouard Mendy- Denied 3rd clean sheet in a row but not his fault as he left helpless by Ruedigers shocking back pass. Made one vital save right, in the end, to make sure Chelsea gets all 3 points from this match. Rating- 6/10

 

CB- Azpilicueta – Struggled aerially certain times and had some shaky moments in the defense. But overall solid again for the Majority of the match. Rating 6/10  

 

CB- Andreas Christensen - The best defender on the night. Made some crucial clearance with his head and won most of the battle against The Blades attack. Composed with the ball and tired help the attackers with some forward run. Justified his selection for the Injured Thiago Silva. Rating 7.5/10

 

CB- Ruedigar- He would be the most relief man in the world after Chelsea’s win. Terrible own goal to concede. The Player of this International Level should not have let this happen but that was his only negative of this match. After his own goal, he recovers it well with some crucial blocks and tackles. Left himself exposed certain times but he recovers it well as well.  Rating 6.5/10

 

RWB- Reece James- Defensively solid again and Dangerous on the attack as well. But the Sheffield United players know well about this crossing ability and he was marked well by them. But still contributed in attack with some nice passes and driving runs. Rating 7.5/10

 

LWB- Ben Chilwell – Start ahead Alonso and played his part for Chelsea’s first goal by splitting the defense with a nice through ball for Werner. But he is looking like not his best in the wing-back role. His crossing was easily blocked by the opponent and lucky to get away from conceding a penalty after the Original penalty decision was overturned by VAR for the offside call. Looking like he is losing his 1st team place to Alonso as the Spanish International now the favorite candidate to start regularly on the Left Wing Back Role. Rating 5.5/10

 

CM- Jorginho- For the 2nd game running he scored the decisive goal of the match from the penalty spot and also at his usual composed and calm in the midfield. But at a certain time he is looking off his pace as he was dribbled past easily by some Sheffield players through the middle and that was his major weakness to his game. He needs to sort it soon if not other teams also will try to expose his weakness and there is a bright chance to succeed as well. Rating 6.5/10

 

 

CM- Mateo Kovacic-The most Consistent performer under Tuchel now. Yet again another brilliant display from him. Dribbling from defense to attack for fun. Should have got an assist to his game after he set up Werner and Werner’s lob attempt was cleared off the line by the Sheffield Defence. Had some sloppy moments as well but overall another impressive display from him. Rating-8/10

 

CAM- Mason Mount- New Manager, New system but same old Mount. Another outstanding performance from him. Scored the first goal of the match with a nice shoot from his weaker left foot after he was set up nicely by Werner. His link-up and hold-up play with the attacking players was good as well. And always stayed energetic and pressed the opponent for the whole match to make it difficult for them. Yet again another impressive display and should be the regular starter under the new manager. Rating 8/10

 

ST- Timo Werner- His best match for Chelsea after a very long time. Support Giroud at upfront but played most of his game as a Left forward. Was Unlucky to not get on the score sheet after his attempt clears off the line but he could attempt it with a bit more pace. Set up nicely mount for the opener and his awareness to the poor back pass from Sheffield united defense was rewarded well as he won the crucial decisive penalty for the 2nd match running. A much-improved display from him and confidence are getting back to him. If he continues to perform like this for sure the goals will come from him very soon. Overall Man of the Match performance from the German International. Rating 8.5/10 Man of The Match

 

ST- Olivier Giroud-   it’s not an easy time for being a Chelsea striker at this moment as they lacking the creativity. The one department was a massive improvement needed from the team. But the French Man was not had his best game today. Hold up play was good at some time but not for most of the time. Had many misplaced passes and his lack of pace also an issue for him as he failed to run behind the defense for some good passes. Overall poor display from him. Rating 4/10 

 

Substitution

Marcos Alonso for Ben Chilwell- came on for the last 30 minutes add some freshness to the team and link it up well with the attackers- Rating 6.5/10

 

Hudson Odoi for Olivier Giroud –Replaced the sloppy French Man and adds some attacking qualities to the team. Troubled the Sheffield united defense at a certain time. - Rating 6/10

 

Ngolo Kante for Timo Werner- came on for the last 10 minutes to do some defensive duties and so he has done it for a certain situation. Gave away some sloppy free kicks in the dangerous area as well. Rating 5/10

 

Manager

 

Thomas Tuchel- He is having a great start of life as Chelsea manager so far after the 3rd win in a row. Right team selection but he could have started Abraham ahead of Giroud. Apart from that, his tactics and game management was spot on again. As I mentioned in previous games the players start to take responsibility now. They need to be more ruthless in front of the goal and should start have a good cutting in the attacking half. The Manager doing his job perfectly so far and the players should do that so.  Rating 8/10