Chelsea 1-0 Leeds United, Player Ratings: Enzo makes a point

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Wembley Stadium on April 26, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) | Chelsea

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What is the story about?

1. ENZO FERNÁNDEZ (8.2)

Captain’s armband. Semifinal goal. Point to the badge in celebration.

And this is the guy we’re trying to get rid of?

Liam Rosenior described that whole situation as “complex”.

But here’s what’s not complex. He’s got that dog in him. We often pine for the days, the attitudes, the mentality of the Old Guard. Enzo’s one of the few among the current bunch who could fit into that mold.

“He can definitely do what you want from a tactical perspective. But I think today the most impressive thing about him was

when the tactics went out the window and Leeds got on top, he’s just a fighter. We don’t have to have the perfect gameplan in those moments, because he’ll run, he’ll compete, he’ll tackle, he’ll drive the players on. That was probably the deciding factor in the game.”

-Calum McFarlane; source: TNT Sports

This may be only the third Man of the Match for Enzo this season, but his 14 podium appearances are only behind João Pedro (19) and Moisés Caicedo (18) on the team.

2. ROBERT SÁNCHEZ (8.1)

This is also Bob’s 14th player ratings podium of the season, and without his save on the 1-v-1 against Brenden Aaronson early on, we’re probably talking about a very different outcome in this one.

Our goal also came from an instance of Sánchez going long with the ball rather than having to play it short, which was a deliberate common sense allowance from the interim head coach.

“We wanted to give Rob the option to go direct and not always have to play through; even the first goal kick. We knew we were in a bit of a vulnerable place (mentally) and we wanted to take that pressure away from them.”

-Calum McFarlane; source: TNT Sports

3. JOÃO PEDRO (7.5)

JP wasn’t quite able to finish his big chance, which would’ve capped off a brilliant team move, but otherwise he played excellently as the lone striker. It was a quintessential performance in what you might call a “complete striker” role (to borrow a phrase from the Football Manager games): linking play or holding the ball up, dropping deep or going long, occupying multiple defenders at all times; it was great.