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

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.

vs. LEEDS UTD (FAC, N, W 1-0)

*EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5)*: — *EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4)*: **Enzo (8.2)**, Sánchez (**8.1**) *GOOD (6.5-7.4)*: João Pedro (**7.5**), Neto (**7.3**), Caicedo (**7.1**), Chalobah (**6.8**), Cucurella (**6.8**), Tosin (**6.7**), Lavia (**6.5**) *AVERAGE (5.5-6.4)*: Santos (**6.4**, *sub*), Gusto (**6.4**), Palmer (**5.6**, *sub*) *SUBPAR (4.5-5.4)*: Delap (**5.1**, *sub*), Garnacho (**4.8**) *BAD (3.5-4.4)*: — *TERRIBLE (2.5-3.4)*: —

OVERALL