Chelsea 1-0 Pafos Player Ratings
CHELSEA 1-0 PAFOS PLAYER RATINGS
FILIPE JORGENSEN - 6.6
Not called into action at all other than 1 run out, showed outstanding composure with chest control to play out from pressure. Rosenior confirmed he left the game injured.
MALO GUSTO – 6.6
Looked to create spaces for Neto by pinning Pafos players in pockets and then routinely rotating inside and out to take advantage of pressure. Did not look to offer any carrying threat down the right flank, but defending was solid as expected.
WESLEY FOFANA – 7.7
Proactive defending throughout, sniffing down any potential counter attacks by winning balls high in Pafos half. Involved in Pafos near post flick on to set up Caicedo and was dangerous from set pieces. Good recovery tackles. Could have been more ambitious to play balls over the top to release wingers. Imposing in defence.
BENOIT BADIASHILE – 7.5
Easy game for himself, tried flamboyant passes, using his right foot on occasions and setting up Estevao with a lovely back heel throughball. Missed a good chance to get on the scoresheet, moved the ball with ease.
JORREL HATO – 6.6
Inverted down the left side and had a glorious moment to get on the scoresheet before the half time whilst, in similar fashion to his goal vs Charlton. Some committed recovery challenges.
REECE JAMES – 6.5
Conservative game from James, keeping the ball short and efficient, with many passes going sideways. Was set up by Enzo and came close with a strike outside of the box. Was taken off to be rested for Crystal Palace.
MOISES CAICEDO – 8.2
Deserved man of the match vs Pafos. 4 shots on goal, 1 big chance made, 3 key passes and 101 touches. Offered the most consistent shooting threat from deeper areas, got on to the end of a near post flick on to seal the game. Continues to show completeness and offers more than just breaking play in midfield.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 7.3
Some inspired moments of individual play, setting up Reece James after great carrying down the left pocket. Wrongfully had his headed goal disallowed with yet again, another perfectly timed run to the back post. 2/3 successful dribbles showed willingness to attack the spaces, played 2 different tactical roles. Played left side of a mid 3 and then replaced James to play deeper and offer 2nd phase connection to the attack.
PEDRO NETO – 6.7
The 1 cross he got on target ironically was disallowed as Neto failed to find a man in a very congested box with his 0/15 successful crosses. Was very threatening with his carries inside and out, worked hard down the flank and stung with an effort outside the box.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6.3
Showed danger with crosses, worked hard to press Pafos in their half and was accurate with passes, yet offered inconsistency in the final 3rd, with poor 1st touches taking him backwards. Missed a good chance to get on the scoresheet, yet the moment produced a phenomenal blocks from Pafos’s Luckassen. Inconsistent threat.
LIAM DELAP – 6.2
Prefers to play with spaces and move directly, yet struggled to find any space to operate in against a Pafos lowblock. Held the ball well at times to bring others in with 2 key passes made. But his 12 touches all game summarised how much he was on the periphery. His only 2 shots got blocked to force corners. It’s a difficult job playing as a Chelsea striker.
SUBS
ESTEVAO – 6.7
Exciting moments that ended in vain, was hard to find space to take shots off, but adds much needed unpredictability against low blocks
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 7
Made one World Class punch to deny a very dangerous moment produced from a cross for Pafos.
JAMIE GITTENS – 7
4/5 Successful dribbles reflects the confidence with his 1v1 play tonight, toying with Pafos down the left side with intricate touches outside his boot, weaving runs and stop and start manoeuvres to create openings. Very exciting.
MARC CUCURELLA – 6.7
Looked to keep balance and make the game tighter for Chelsea in tactical role.
JOAO PEDRO – 6.2
Recorded 8 touches in 20mins, 4 less than Delap’s in over 70mins, however, just like Liam, not 1 great chance was fashioned for himself
