Player Ratings: Chelsea 1-2 Fulham

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Post on Dec 27, 2024

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Player Ratings: Chelsea 1-2 Fulham – A Disappointing Derby Day Defeat

Chelsea suffered a disappointing 1-2 defeat to Fulham in a west London derby that left many Blues fans questioning their team's performance. While there were moments of individual brilliance, overall the team lacked the cohesion and cutting edge needed to overcome a resilient Fulham side. Let's delve into the individual player ratings:

Chelsea Player Ratings:

Kepa Arrizabalaga (6/10): Kepa had little chance with either Fulham goal, but could perhaps have done better with one. Command of his area was mostly assured, but he wasn't called upon to make any truly spectacular saves. A fairly standard performance overall.

Reece James (7/10): One of Chelsea's better performers. James offered a constant threat going forward, delivering dangerous crosses and showing his usual attacking prowess. His defensive contributions were solid, though he was occasionally caught out of position.

Thiago Silva (7/10): The veteran defender provided his customary leadership and composure at the back. Silva's experience shone through, making crucial interceptions and exhibiting his excellent reading of the game. A reassuring presence despite the defeat.

Wesley Fofana (6/10): A mixed performance from Fofana. While he displayed flashes of his pace and strength, he also made some questionable decisions, leading to Fulham creating chances. Needs more consistency.

Ben Chilwell (6/10): Chilwell's attacking contributions were limited, and his defensive work was inconsistent. He struggled to contain Fulham's attacking threat down his flank. Needs to improve his overall game.

Enzo Fernandez (7/10): Chelsea's midfield engine, Fernandez dictated the tempo of the game for large spells. His passing was accurate and he showed glimpses of his creativity, but he wasn't able to unlock the Fulham defence consistently enough.

Conor Gallagher (6/10): Gallagher worked tirelessly in midfield but lacked the final ball to create significant chances. His energy was evident, but his overall impact was somewhat limited.

Mason Mount (5/10): A disappointing performance from Mount. He struggled to influence the game, offering little creativity or attacking threat. Needs to rediscover his form quickly.

Raheem Sterling (6/10): Sterling showed his usual pace and direct running, but lacked the clinical edge in front of goal. He worked hard, but his final product was missing.

Mykhailo Mudryk (6/10): Mudryk's pace caused problems for the Fulham defence, but he couldn't translate his opportunities into goals or assists. Showed moments of brilliance but needs to be more consistent.

Kai Havertz (5/10): A largely ineffective performance from Havertz. He lacked the cutting edge in front of goal and his overall contribution was minimal. He needs to improve his consistency significantly.

Fulham Player Ratings (brief overview):

Fulham's performance was commendable, with key players like Willian and Mitrovic making significant contributions. Their midfield controlled the tempo effectively, and their defensive organization frustrated Chelsea throughout the match. A strong overall team performance.

Conclusion:

The defeat to Fulham highlights the areas Chelsea needs to improve upon. The team's lack of cutting edge in the final third and defensive inconsistencies are serious concerns. While individual players showed glimpses of brilliance, a collective improvement is needed if Chelsea aims to compete at the top level. The next game will be crucial to see how the team responds to this setback. The west London derby provided plenty of talking points, and the coming weeks will determine whether this was a blip or a sign of deeper issues.