Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United: players rating vs Sheffield United

Chelsea was far from their best in this match but despite all the best efforts from Sheffield United, the Blues are through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup this season with a 2-0 win against the blades. Chelsea hasn’t created that many chances against defensively well-organized Sheffield united yet still they managed to score 2 goals to settle this match. Defensively Chelsea faced a lot of issues from the Sheffield united attackers and they could have equalized midway through to the 2nd half. But somehow Chelsea managed to get through from all their best efforts and go through to the semi-final of the FA Cup for the 4th time in the last 5 seasons. Thomas Tuchel made 9 changes from the midweek champions’ league match and Chelsea line-up at their usual 3 at the back system. Here are the players of the match.

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

GK- Kepa Arrizabalaga – made a couple of good saves in the 2nd half when Sheffield united was searching for the equalizer as he didn’t put a foot wrong today. Rating- 7/10 

CB- Andreas Christensen – returned to the side after a recent absence with an illness and showed his capability that he can play any side of the defense in the back 3 with a commanding display. Until he was on the pitch Mcgoldrick didn’t have joy on the right side as Christensen dealt well with it.   Rating 7.5/10  

CB- Kurt Zouma – one of the main reasons why Sheffield United didn’t score in this match as he was rock solid in the center of the defense. Won everything aerially and also didn’t let the tough psychical presence of the Blades front line bully him as he dealt well with everything he faced.  Rating 8/10 man of the match

CB- Emerson- starts on the left side of the defense and for the majority of the match, he defends it well. But in the 2nd half on certain occasions, he constantly got behind by the Sheffield united forwards because of his poor positioning. But he was well covered by Zouma in that situation and also Emerson put in some good tackles and interception to stop the opponent’s progress during the attack.   Rating 7/10

RWB- Hudson Odoi- he made some good runs and crosses from the right side in the 1st half and also gave some issues for Ben Osburn. But he made a lot of poor decision-making yesterday as he attempts some sloppy passes and also he was outmuscled on a couple of occasions by the Sheffield United defense on certain Occasions. Rating 6/10

LWB- Ben Chilwell – Defend it well for the majority of the match but he also had some shaky moments which his positioning when the opponent attempt the long crosses was questionable. But he was involved directly for both goals as his shot was deflected into the back of the net which was awarded as an own goal and also he assisted Ziyech for the 2nd goal of this match in the dying minutes of the match. Rating 6.5/10

CM- Billy Gilmour- this young lad didn’t have any fear against the tough physical presence of the opponents as he put in a good shift in the midfield for Chelsea. He also won a couple of crucial tackles and put in a nice through ball for Hudson odoi in the 1st half. But his lack of experience saw him make some poor decision making as Gilmour attempt some sloppy passes on crucial situations. But overall the youngster put in a decent display for the team.   Rating 7/10

CM- Kovacic- yet again his usual calm and composed in the midfield for the 1st half and also try to make things happen with his thriving runs to the forwards. But he seemed to be lost in the 2nd half on certain occasions as he was a bit rush and rusty. As the game went on Kovacic back to his usual calm with the ball and involved in the 2nd goal of the match with the final 3rd pass to Chilwell.   Rating-7/10 

RF- Mason Mount- at his usual high work rate and energetic throughout the match but he didn’t have any meaningful contribution in attack for Chelsea today. And also he has outmuscled easily the Sheffield united defence as he seemed to be tired after playing a lot of football recently.  Rating 6/10

LF- Christian Pulisic- he was the official man of the match but not sure how he was for the 1st half display. His decision-making was poor especially when Chelsea was on the break he attempts the poor pass behind Chilwell which was spoiled the attack for Chelsea. And also he should have scored after he won the ball from the defense but he attempts to score with a poor lob which was easily saved by the goalkeeper. But he improved a lot in the 2nd half and nearly scored a wonderful individual goal as he was the main attacking threat for Chelsea in a game in which all the Chelsea attackers who have started the game had a less impactful contribution. Rating 7/10 

ST- Olivier Giroud -  he didn’t have any service from other players as he had nothing to do in this match. His link-up play was decent in the 1st half and also he put in some pressure on the Sheffield United defense when they had the ball. But this was not his game to start as his lack of pace was a weakness today. Rating 5.5/10 

 

Substitution

Reece James for Olivier Giroud – came on for the last 30 minutes and put in some good defensive duties and when goes forward he didn’t have much to do. Rating 6/10

Azpilicueta for Andreas Christensen - Came on for the last 30 minutes and it was not a good substitute appearance from him as he was constantly beaten on the right side. And also he struggled to contain with McGoldrick on multiple occasions. - Rating 4/10

Kai Havertz for Hudson Odoi- came on for the last 30 minutes and he easily loses the ball when he had the position. But he was involved for the 2nd goal as he put free Kovacic in the midfield. Rating 6/10

Hakim Ziyech for Billy Gilmour- who came on for the past 20 minutes had a meaningful impact on the match as he looks lively and also scored the 2nd goal to kill the game off. Rating 7/10

Ngolo Kante for Christian Pulisc-  came on for the last 10 minutes to add some fresh legs in the midfield. Rating 5/10

 

Manager

Thomas Tuchel- what the manager can do for the player’s poor decision-making. He is doing all he can and looks at the impact he is having since his arrival. Back in the top 4, qualify to the quarter-final of the champions league and now Chelsea has gone through to the semi-final of the FA cup. The players have to perform when they get the chance to impress the manager and also have to implement his game plan. Tuchel also has to do some works on the training ground to be more clinical enough in front of the goal and also to the final 3rd. for today Tuchels substitution seemed to have an impact for both good and bad reasons. And also he could have brought Werner this match as his pace could be the issue for the Sheffield United defense. But at the end of the day results is the matter and Chelsea getting the positive results so far. Yet still, Chelsea is facing Manchester city in the Semi-Final of the FA Cup, also the Champions League quarter-final awaits after the international break and the performance should be much better than as it did today if the team wants to win those ties.   Rating 7/10