1. JOSH ACHEAMPONG (6.8)
Opportunity, meet opportunity.
Josh Acheampong was handed the keys to the Chelsea backline given the injuries to Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, and Benoît Badiashile, and the 19-year-old didn’t have to be asked twice.
There was a moment early on, when he misplaced a pass straight to the opposition, which directly led to the free kick from which Eberechi Eze scored his ultimately (and quite correctly, for multiple reasons) disallowed goal. Many would’ve crumbled from that sequence (remember
Abdukodir Khusanov’s debut for Manchester City against us?); not Josh. In fact, he got better from that moment.
He would finish with the most ground and aerial duels won on the night, and the second most touches and passes. That passing was not as expansive as Colwill’s might have been, but it’s only day one. And to make up for that, he carried the ball forward more than anyone else — not just in this game, but throughout the league the entire weekend.
He’s earned the “trust”. Here’s to day two.
2. MOISÉS CAICEDO (6.7)
Caicedo was our clear Player of the Year last season — for fans, peers, everyone — and he’s off to a solid start in trying to defend his crown. He didn’t get much help from his fellow midfielders, but got the job done just the same.
3. ESTÊVÃO (6.5, sub)
A certain Eden Hazard was sat in the stands for this match, almost thirteen years to the day when he himself was making his Premier League debut as a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed youngster (21, to be exact). It took him about 90 seconds to set up his first goal, then less than five minutes to win a penalty — those two goals enough for a 2-0 win against Wigan Athletic on August 19, 2012.
Estêvão (“Steh-voh”, as it turns out) didn’t quite manage the same impact, but he did inject positive energy, creativity, and danger into our attack when he came on in the second half. And with a bit more luck and composure, he might have even gotten on the scoresheet (an assist or a goal, or both). Unfortunately, the finish eluded him, just as it did fellow debutants Andrey Santos and Liam Delap late on.
But it was a relatively exciting performance in an otherwise rather drab 90 minutes; hopefully just a little taste of what’s to come.
vs. CRYSTAL PALACE (PL, H, D 0-0)
EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): —
EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): —
GOOD (6.5-7.4): Acheampong (6.8), Caicedo (6.7), Estêvão (6.5, sub), Chalobah (6.5)
AVERAGE (5.5-6.4): Cucurella (6.4), James (6.3), Neto (6.0), Sánchez (6.0), Delap (5.9, sub), Santos (5.5, sub)
SUBPAR (4.5-5.4): Palmer (5.3), Gusto (5.3, sub), João Pedro (5.2), Gittens (5.0), Enzo (4.8)
BAD (3.5-4.4): —
TERRIBLE (2.5-3.4): —
OVERALL:
