Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United, Player Ratings: Please keep pushing João Pedro

SB Nation

1. JOÃO PEDRO (7.6)

I’m not sure what makes João Pedro’s upper back so inviting for defenders to put both hands there and then blatantly push away on it, but whatever it is, I hope it just keeps happening.

So, another penalty

won, another goal scored, and (what should’ve been) another secondary assist on the game-winning goal. Unfortunately, Cole Palmer blazed over the bar when it seemed impossible to miss. But as Liam Rosenior said, we played well for all but a five-minute spell, and JP was once again a key factor in all that.

We joked that Liam Rosenior’s arrival would revitalize his fellow Liam, but it’s been João Pedro, who’s enjoyed life most under the new manager. Let’s keep it going!

Only Erling Haaland, Igor Thiago, and Antoine Semenyo have more goals in the league than JP’s 10.

2. ANDREY SANTOS (6.9)

We figured Rosenior coming in would also be a boon for young Andrey, thanks to their familiarity and success together at RC Strasbourg, and that’s indeed been the case, with Santos getting more regular chances to shine and showcase his talents.

3. COLE PALMER (6.8)

That miss still stings, but other than that, Palmer’s looked his best in a long time in this one (yes, even better than on the weekend against Wolves, when he got the hat-trick).

vs. LEEDS UNITED (PL, H, D 2-2)

EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): —

EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): João Pedro (7.6)

GOOD (6.5-7.4): Santos (6.9), Palmer (6.8)

AVERAGE (5.5-6.4): Enzo (6.3), Cucurella (6.3), Hato (5.9, sub), Chalobah (5.8), Estêvão (5.8), Sánchez (5.6), Fofana (5.6, sub), Neto (5.5, sub)