Chelsea 1-2 Fulham: Player Ratings & Review

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Post on Dec 27, 2024

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Chelsea 1-2 Fulham: Player Ratings & Review

A shocking defeat at Stamford Bridge. That's the stark reality for Chelsea following their 1-2 loss to Fulham in a London derby that served up more questions than answers. The Cottagers, energized by their strong start to the season, exposed several weaknesses in the Chelsea side, leaving fans and pundits alike scratching their heads. Let's delve into the individual performances and analyze what went wrong for the Blues.

Player Ratings: A Disappointing Display

This wasn't a day for individual brilliance at Stamford Bridge. While a few players battled valiantly, the overall performance was lackluster. Here's a breakdown:

Goalkeepers:

• Robert Sánchez (6/10): Couldn't do much about either goal, though he could have perhaps been more assertive on the second. Showed glimpses of his ability but wasn't tested excessively.

Defenders:

• Reece James (7/10): One of Chelsea's few bright sparks. Offered attacking impetus down the right and showed commitment defensively, though the overall defensive frailties hampered his impact.
• Thiago Silva (6/10): Solid as ever, but even the veteran Brazilian couldn't completely cover the defensive cracks that appeared throughout the game. Shows his age at times.
• Axel Disasi (5/10): Struggled to impose himself against Fulham's attack. Looked shaky at times and needs to improve his positioning.
• Ben Chilwell (5/10): Offered little going forward and was defensively suspect, often caught out of position. Needs to rediscover his early-season form.

Midfielders:

• Enzo Fernández (6/10): Showed flashes of his talent but lacked the influence he's capable of. Couldn't quite dictate the tempo of the game effectively.
• Conor Gallagher (5/10): A largely ineffective performance. Couldn't impose himself in midfield and lacked creativity.
• Moisés Caicedo (6/10): Showed some promise but was ultimately overshadowed by Fulham's midfield dominance. Needs to build on this performance.

Forwards:

• Raheem Sterling (5/10): Offered little threat upfront and failed to make a significant impact on the game. Needs to find his shooting boots.
• Nicolas Jackson (6/10): Worked hard but couldn't find the back of the net. Showed some promising moments, but needs more consistency.
• Mykhailo Mudryk (5/10): Another underwhelming performance. Failed to provide the spark that Chelsea desperately needed.

Review: Where Did It Go Wrong?

This defeat highlights several crucial issues plaguing Chelsea:

1. Defensive Vulnerability:**

Fulham's goals exposed a significant weakness in Chelsea's defense. The backline looked disjointed and struggled to deal with Fulham's attacking movement. This needs urgent addressing.

2. Midfield Domination:**

Fulham controlled the midfield battle, dictating the tempo and stifling Chelsea's creativity. Chelsea's midfield lacked the cohesion and energy needed to compete.

3. Lack of Clinical Finishing:**

Chelsea created some chances but failed to capitalize on them. The lack of clinical finishing cost them dearly.

4. Tactical Issues:**

The manager's tactical decisions also came under scrutiny, with some questioning the team selection and in-game adjustments.

Looking Ahead: A Wake-Up Call

The loss to Fulham serves as a harsh reality check for Chelsea. The team needs to improve significantly in all aspects of the game, particularly defensively and in midfield, to achieve their ambitions this season. The coming weeks will be crucial to see how they respond to this setback. This isn't just about individual performances; it's about the collective unity and strategic cohesion of the entire team. The squad needs to find its rhythm and quickly, before the situation worsens. Expect significant changes and improvements in the coming matches.