Chelsea have started their UEFA Champions League season in the worst possible manner with a 0-1 home defeat at the hands of Spanish opposition, Valencia.
Rodrigo of Valencia capitalised on a lapse in concentration by Frank Lampard’s men in the 74th minute of the game when Mateo Kovacic committed a foul that led to a free-kick. Late drama from the VAR team of the night ensured that Chelsea were awarded a penalty after a dodgy hand-ball only for the second-half substitute, Ross Barkley to miss.
Valencia head-coach, Albert Celades marked his managerial debut in the UEFA Champions League with a win at Stamford Bridge. However, the victory comes at the cost of his very own team players opting to not participate in the mandatory press briefing before a UEFA Champions League fixture in solidarity with his predecessor, Marcelino García Toral.
Frank Lampard & Co. would be in a considerable spot of bother now following their disappointing result on the first very matchday. Here’s how Chelsea players were rated in their defeat to Valencia.
Chelsea Players Rated In Dismal Defeat Vs Valencia
Starting Eleven
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6/10
The Spanish goalie was largely untested during the game but failed to deliver when Rodrigo came knocking. Kepa could have done better with the goal as the ball bounced up past him.
Kurt Zouma – 6/10
Zouma misplaced a couple of passes but was a strong presence in the Chelsea back-line. Zouma was taken off just before Valencia got onto the scoresheet.
Andreas Christensen – 6/10
Christensen looked solid in the Chelsea back-line. He seemed confident on the ball and was in the right positions to defend Valencia’s ventures forward.
Fikayo Tomori – 7/10
The 21-year-old Tomori had a pretty eventful evening. Tomori displayed great confidence on the ball throughout the game.
César Azpilicueta – 7/10
Azpilicueta had a brilliant evening attacking as well as defending until he was switched to the centre-back position. He seemed a bit shaky after Zouma was taken off.
Marcos Alonso – 6/10
The La Fabrica graduate had a very sub-standard evening against Valencia. The Spanish side was causing sufficient trouble to Alonso, who was finding it difficult to advance into threatening positions while supporting the Chelsea attack.
Jorginho – 6/10
Jorginho had a very average night in Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League opener. The player even picked up a yellow card for a poor tackle.
Mateo Kovacic – 6/10
Mateo Kovacic would not have been so impressed with his performance either. The Croatian misplaced a few passes and looked a bit slow to the pace of the game.
Willian – 7/10
He was one of Chelsea’s finest players in the evening despite having a contrasting second half. Willian would have just loved to have taken the penalty, wouldn’t he?
Mason Mount – 5/10
Had his UEFA Champions League debut cut short by a challenge from Francis Coquelin in the initial 15 minutes of the game.
Tammy Abraham – 5/10
Not the sort of performance everyone expected from Abraham. He did not create many chances for himself and failed actually to test Valencia goalie, Jasper Cillessen
Substitutes
Pedro – 5/10
Poor evening for the Spaniard. He was dispossessed way too many times after coming on to replace Mason Mount within the first few minutes of the game.
Oliver Giroud – 6/10
Failed to have much impact after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Ross Barkley – 4/10
A disastrous appearance from Barkley at Stamford Bridge. The player failed to convert a spot-kick, and Chelsea were unable to rescue any points from their Champions League opener.
