Chelsea ratings: Reece James as intelligent and organised as ever but Mudryk struggling to find his feet in England
CHELSEA flopped to yet another dreadful result as their woes under Graham Potter continued against Aston Villa.
The Blues drew 2-2 with strugglers Everton on their last Stamford Bridge outing before the international break.
And they fared even worse this evening, going down 2-0 to Unai Emery’s mid-table Villa.
On another difficult afternoon for the Blues, SunSport’s John Dillon rates and slates each performer on the day.
KEPA ARRIZABALAGA – 5
Goalkeeper was left stranded and could do little when Ollie Watkins got clear to hit the target early on. And he never stood a chance of getting near John McGinn’s screaming second-half strike for Villa.
REECE JAMES – 6
As intelligent and organised as ever on right of back three. Worked hard attempting to get the ball to Ruben Loftus-Cheek but to little avail.
KALIDOU KOULIBALY – 7
Was wrong-footed by team-mate Marc Cucurella when Villa took the lead. And his presence simply couldn’t keep Chelsea afloat.
MARC CUCURELLA – 5
Was involved in fierce tussle with Villa’s aggressive John McGinn from the start. Then got in Kalidou Koulibaly’s way and headed back for Ollie Watkins to score for Villa in the 18th minute.
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK – 6
Sought out pathways through on the right and got in several crosses. But they just weren’t harmful enough. Substituted in second-half.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 5
Looked busy in central midfield without ever properly imposing himself on the game as might have been expected given his gargantuan price-tag.
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MATEO KOVACIC – 6
A biting and driving presence in the centre of midfield as usual. Showed his pragmatic side when booked for halting Ashley Young breakaway near half-time.
BEN CHILWELL – 6
Eagerly looked for openings in left-sided midfield role. Loudly claimed a penalty when he got clear in box but appeared to be brought down by Ezri Konsa in first-half.
KAI HAVERTZ – 5
Often seems unfocused in the way he attacks and fluffed a good 14th minute chance. Was closer with clever clipped effort on verge of the break.
MYKHAILO MUDRYK – 5
Still looks like he is struggling to find his feet in English football. A poor and weak missed chance from 15 yards when put clear by Mateo Kovacic in 31st minute. Eventually hooked off.
JOAO FELIX – 6
His busyness summed up Chelsea’s frenzied but undisciplined attacking. Had several half-chances throughout the game – but is not clinical enough
SUBSTITUTES
N’Golo Kante (for Loftus-Cheek, 57) – 6
A much-need return from the midfield running machine after being out since August 14. Rust caused him to miss a sitter eight minutes after coming on.
Noni Madueke (for Mudryk, 57) – 5
Sent a 20-yard curler just wide in the 64th minute.
Conor Gallagher (for Kovacic, 80) – 6
Sent on late on in an attempt to find a fresh way forward for stuttering home side.
Christian Pulisic (for Cucurella, 80) – 6
Late introduction in hope injecting new creativity and perhaps a goal threat. But neither materialised.
Subs not used: Badiashile, Bettinelli, Chalobah, Mount, Chukwuemeka