1. COLE PALMER (9.0)
Chelsea’s new-look front three combined for five goal contributions across our three goals, with Palmer and João Pedro taking it in turns to set each other up for goals and Palmer also getting the secondary assist (unofficial stat) on Rogers’ goal. If they keep going at this rate, the “Cold” celebration is going to get played out real fast. Let’s hope it does!
For Palmer specifically, this was as good of a first game of the season as we could’ve hoped for. After that amazing debut season, the last
two campaigns have gotten successively worse for the 24-year-old, so hopefully this performance is a sign of things to come. Palmer had the whole summer off to rest, recover, and reverse the trend.
And he would also like you to buy his ice.
2. JOÃO PEDRO (8.3)
JP was on fire in preseason and he’s continued that with a goal just 31 seconds into the new season. He was inches away from a second later on, but it was great to see the partnership between him and Palmer flourishing after some questions about their interplay and compatibility last season. Sprinkle in a bit of Rogers, and we might be cooking this season.
3. MAXENCE LACROIX (7.5)
Rogers was just beaten out for the third spot by fellow new signing Lacroix, who was a real stabilizing force in the heart of the defense, and even popped up with a crucial bit of contribution in the other box, setting up our second goal. But it was really his off the ball play that is giving hope, especially on a day when two of our key players at the back, Robert Sánchez and Levi Colwill were struggling a bit (or a lot, as it were).
vs. FULHAM (PL, A, W 3-2)
EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): Palmer (9.0)
EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): João Pedro (8.3), Lacroix (7.5)
GOOD (6.5-7.4): Rogers (7.4), James (6.7), Acheampong (6.6)
AVERAGE (5.5-6.4): Hato (6.1), Lavia (6.1), Neto (5.9, sub), Enzo (5.7, sub), Chavarría (5.7, sub), Quenda (5.7, sub), Gusto (5.7), Estêvão (5.5, sub)
SUBPAR (4.5-5.4): Colwill (5.2)
BAD (3.5-4.4): —
TERRIBLE (2.5-3.4): Sánchez (3.2)
OVERALL
