Noah Match Report: Chelsea Player Ratings & Enzo Impact
Chelsea, under the new management of Graham Potter, continued their inconsistent season with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, the Blues couldn't find a way to break down Steve Cooper's well-organized side. The draw leaves Chelsea in 10th place on the Premier League table, further highlighting their struggles to find consistency and climb up the standings.
Enzo Fernandez's Positive Debut
The main talking point from the match was the debut of Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine midfielder, who joined Chelsea in a club-record transfer from Benfica, came on as a second-half substitute and immediately injected some much-needed energy and creativity into the Blues' midfield.
His impact was evident from the moment he stepped onto the pitch. Fernandez displayed his impressive passing range, ability to control the tempo, and composure under pressure. While a full evaluation of his performance will come with time, his debut gave Blues supporters a glimpse of the quality he brings to the team.
Player Ratings:
Here's a breakdown of the individual performances of the Chelsea players:
Kepa Arrizabalaga (6/10): A relatively quiet game for the Spanish goalkeeper, who made a couple of comfortable saves and was largely untroubled by Forest's attack.
Reece James (7/10): One of the few Chelsea players to consistently pose a threat going forward. His overlapping runs and dangerous crosses caused Forest problems throughout the game.
Wesley Fofana (6/10): Solid defensively but didn't have much opportunity to showcase his offensive capabilities. He did, however, show glimpses of his composure and strength on the ball.
Benoit Badiashile (6/10): A competent performance from the young defender. He handled Forest's attack well, showcasing his composure and defensive awareness.
Lewis Hall (6/10): Offered some good attacking support down the left flank, but his defensive positioning was suspect at times.
Mateo Kovacic (6/10): A tireless worker in midfield but lacked his usual sharpness and incisiveness.
Conor Gallagher (6/10): Displayed plenty of energy and effort, but his final ball was often lacking.
Mykhailo Mudryk (6/10): Showed glimpses of his pace and trickery, but struggled to make a real impact on the game. He was a bit too eager to run at the Forest defense and lost possession on several occasions.
Noni Madueke (6/10): A positive introduction to the Premier League. The young winger showed good pace and willingness to take on his opponents.
Joao Felix (7/10): The most creative player on the pitch for Chelsea. He worked tirelessly, dropping deep to link play, and creating chances for his teammates. His impressive pass led to the equalizing goal by Kai Havertz.
Kai Havertz (7/10): Scored a well-taken equalizer with a powerful header from Felix's cross. He was a constant threat in the Forest penalty area.
Substitutes:
Enzo Fernandez (7/10): A positive introduction, displaying his impressive passing range and ability to control the tempo.
Hakim Ziyech (6/10): Added some creativity and attacking intent after coming on.
Conclusion:
Chelsea's performance against Nottingham Forest was a mixed bag. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, they lacked the cutting edge in the final third. The arrival of Enzo Fernandez gives the Blues fans a glimmer of hope, but Potter needs to find a way to unlock his attacking potential and turn the club's inconsistent season around.