Chelsea player ratings: Felix shows glimpses of class but lacks finishing touch with Ziyech and Mudryk off the pace
CHELSEA will welcome Borussia Dortmund to Stamford Bridge needing to turn their Champions League fortunes around.
Graham Potter’s struggling Blues huffed and puffed but were blown away by a quick counter attack.
Karim Adeyemi’s opener on 63 minutes was enough to separate the sides in the last 16 first leg.
And here, Jack Figg rates Chelsea’s performers in Germany.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
Down well on 57 minutes to hold onto Brandt’s low effort but could not put off Adeyemi, who rounded him to finish.
The Spaniard had a rather quiet game with Dortmund recording just two shots on target – with one going in.
Reece James – 6
Produced an excellent surging run on 52 minutes which resulted in a free kick he saw well saved.
Wasn’t able to get forward as much as he would’ve hoped with scorer Adeyemi a constant threat down Dortmund’s left.
Thiago Silva – 6
Produced a great block on 25 minutes to deny Adeyemi and read the game well.
Worked nicely with Koulibaly and was helpless for Dortmund’s breakaway winner.
Kalidou Koulibaly – 7
Good overall performance by the outcast centre-back, covering and positioning himself well.
Almost levelled after his effort inside the box beat keeper Gregor Kobel only for Emre Can to clear off the line.
Ben Chilwell – 6
Linked up well with Mudryk on the left with the pair showing nice chemistry.
Looked a lot more positive down the left than Marc Cucurella has in recent matches.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 5
Partnered Fernandez in the holding pair and struggled to impose his physicality or make impactful runs on the ball.
It still looks as though his best position is still yet to be determined.
Enzo Fernandez – 6
Proving to be a stellar anchor in Chelsea’s midfield but playing too deep to make an impact in the final third.
Did his best to halt Adeyemi in a one-on-one situation but the winger beat him to open the scoring.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 5
Twice lost the ball with a needless flicks in the first half but did show quick feet and nice link-up play with Chilwell.
Chelsea will be hoping he gets on the ball a bit more and gets at defenders to create scoring opportunities as he lacked a real threat.
Hakim Ziyech – 4
Almost anonymous on the right and looked totally disinterested at times.
Seems the player is still not over his failed deadline day move to PSG and one would question how many more starts he gets under Potter.
Joao Felix – 6
Linked up well with his wingers and midfielders but did miss a golden chance inside box leaning back from Ziyech’s cutback on half hour mark.
Had another gaping opportunity with seven minutes to go but he struck right into the keeper’s arms.
Kai Havertz – 4
Looked largely isolated leading the line despite rare cameos with Felix.
He looks more comfortable dropping deep, stressing Chelsea’s need for a true No9.
Subs
Marc Cucurella (for Chilwell 70 mins) – Came on to give Chilwell some rest bite but the full-back faces a fight back into the starting 11.
Mason Mount (for Mudryk 70 mins) – Didn’t really get much time to make a change in the game.