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Chelsea vs Crystal Palace - Player Ratings

A look at player performances as Chelsea drop points at Selhurst Park in a frustrating draw.

A thread… 🧵

Robert Sanchez - 7.5/10

It was a good display from Sanchez yesterday as he helped Chelsea stay ahead for 80+ minutes with his saves.

He tried his best to stop the equaliser, but ultimately failed to keep the ball out of the net.

Key Stats -

1. Saves - 5
2. Accurate passes - 23/32 (72%)
3. Accurate long balls - 9/18 (50%)

Malo Gusto - 6/10

Mixed performance from Gusto again while he struggles for form.

While he was energetic on the right flank, he still lacks precision in the final third and also needs to work on his decision making,

Key Stats -

1. Accurate passes - 64/76 (84%)
2. Accurate crosses - 1/2 (50%)
3. Ground duels won - 0/5 (0%)
4. Aerial duels won - 0/1 (0%)

Josh Acheampong - 7/10

Deployed at RCB, it was an amazing league debut from Josh.

He looked calm and composed on the ball, and kept the Palace attack in check through most of the game.

His pairing with Colwill is also one to watch out for.

Key Stats -

1. Accurate passes - 69/81 (85%)
2. Successful dribbles - 1/1 (100%)
3. Aerial duels won - 0/5 (0%)
4. Ground duels won - 1/1 (100%)

Levi Colwill - 7.5/10

Colwill was solid defensively yesterday, and handled Mateta for most of the game.

His progressive passing and composure on the ball also helped Chelsea build from the back.

Key Stats -

1. Accurate passes - 78/81 (96%)
2. Accurate long balls - 5/5 (100%)
3. Tackles won - 1/2 (50%)
4. Ground duels won - 3/3 (100%)

Marc Cucurella - 6.5/10

Working as an overlapping FB, Cucurella looked good defensively, but had little to offer in terms of helping the attack.

He also struggled with Eze’s pace at times, and was outplayed at the left.

Key Stats -

1. Accurate passes - 55/62 (89%)
2. Accurate crosses - 0/2 (0%)
3. Tackles won - 2/2 (100%)
4. Ground duels won - 2/5 (40%)

Moises Caicedo - 6.5/10

It was a rare dip in performance from Caicedo as he looked out of gas in the second half for Chelsea.

He won key duels in the first half, but could not provide those cutting-edge passes needed to break Palace’s low block.

Key Stats - 

1. Accurate passes - 52/55 (95%)
2. Successful dribbles - 0/2 (0%)
3. Ground duels won - 4/10 (40%)
4. Tackles won - 0/2 (0%)

Enzo Fernandez - 7/10

Was good in possesion and dictated the tempo for Chelsea.

Tried to create openings in Palace’s low block, but lacked crucial support from the attackers yesterday,

Key Stats -

1. Accurate passes - 52/61 (85%)
2. Successful dribbles - 1/2 (50%)
3. Accurate long balls - 6/8 (75%)
4. Ground duels won - 6/11 (55%)

Cole Palmer - 7.5/10

Chelsea’s standout attacker in the first half, Palmer scored the opening goal and was constantly looking to make this happen.

But feels like he can only do so much and he needs more support from his team in the attack.

Key Stats -

1. Goals - 1
2. Accurate crosses - 1/5 (20%)
3. Accurate long balls - 3/4 (75%)
4. Ground duels won - 1/3 (33%)

Jadon Sancho - 7.5/10

Sancho dominated the left wing throughout the first half, and helped create the opening goal with a beautiful dummy. 

His was linking up well with Palmer early on, but sadly faded as the game progressed. 

Key Stats -

1. Assists - 1
2. Successful dribbles - 3/4 (75%)
3. Accurate crosses - 0/1 (0%)
4. Ground duels won - 3/6 (50%)

Pedro Neto - 6.5/10

Working hard on the right, Neto showed glimpses of creativity again, but failed to make anything out of it.

Chelsea’s lack of a box striker also led to most of his crosses going to waste. 

Key Stats - 

1. Successful dribbles - 1/3 (33%)
2. Accurate crosses - 1/2 (50%)
3. Accurate long balls - 2/3 (67%)
4. Ground duels won - 4/12 (33%)

Nicolas Jackson - 5.5/10

It was a night to forget for Jackson. While he did show good hold-up skills and worked hard off the ball, he struggled in front of goal.

He failed to out away some really good chances, which ultimately led to Chelsea only managing to score one goal in the game.

Key Stats -

1. Shot accuracy - 0/3 (0%)
2. Successful dribbles - 0/2 (0%)
3. Accurate passes - 9/12 (75%)
4. Ground duels won - 3/9 (33%)

Substitute Impact - 5.5/10

Marc Guiu and Noni Madueke were brought in in the second half by Maresca, but both failed to make any real impact on the game.

While Maresca cannot be blamed for his subs yesterday, it still feels like he needs to get more output from them.

In the end, it was a frustrating game for Chelsea as they were held to s stalemate, and dropped crucial two points in the top 4 race.

It is up to Maresca’s boys to make a comeback now against Bournemouth.

End of thread…

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