Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Adam Newson

Chelsea first half player ratings vs Club America: Silva and Gallagher solid, Havertz wasteful

Kepa Arrizabalaga

With Edouard Mendy, somewhat surprisingly, not named in the squad, Kepa was handed an opportunity. There was one poor pass out from the Spaniard, but he was solid with his punching and ensured Chelsea went into the break with a clean sheet. 5

Trevoh Chalobah

The academy graduate started in his customary position on the right of the Chelsea back three and produced a couple of neat darts forward from the back. Chalobah did produce one lovely pass down the line for Kenedy to collect and was solid defensively, as supporters have come to expect. 6

READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel's 'perfect' Kalidou Koulibaly message uncovers Chelsea sporting director plan

Thiago Silva

Another pre-season campaign for the 37-year-old; he certainly knows the drill at this stage. Silva eased his way through the first half in the middle of Chelsea's back three, never appearing rushed or having to overly exert himself. He did come close to scoring with a late header. 7

Malang Sarr

Back on the left of the three, the Frenchman made a shaky start with a poor pass out wide to Ben Chilwell. He did show a great turn of pace later in the game to chase down and dangerous ball forward and intercept. 5

Kenedy

A ball of energy during the opening period. Kenedy showed some nice touches to advance the ball, completed a couple of sharp dribbles and came close to scoring with a low drive that went narrowly wide of the post. He was caught out positionally, however, in his own defensive third and one occasion, almost led to a goal for Club America. 6

Conor Gallagher

The England international is expected to remain at Stamford Bridge this season and his performance in the opening 45 minutes highlighted why. Gallagher's trademark energy was evident, but he also dictated Chelsea's possession game and created the best chance of the half for Kai Havertz. 7

Ross Barkley

Deployed in the double six alongside Gallagher, Barkley produced a couple of nice raking passes across the pitch, but his lack of defensive awareness was highlighted on a couple of occasions when Club America attacked. 5

Ben Chilwell

This was Chilwell's first start since he suffered a knee ligament injury last November, so it was unsurprising that the England international produced a few rusty touches. The most important thing was Chilwell came through the opening 45 minutes unscathed, and that's what happened. 5

Hakim Ziyech

His future is uncertain amid interest from AC Milan, and Ziyech didn't produce a 45-minute that would rocket him into Tuchel's guaranteed starters list. There were a couple of flashes of the 29-year-old's quality, but his display was too reserved. 5

Kai Havertz

With Romelu Lukaku gone, there is extra pressure on Kai Havertz to step up this season. The silky German was on the fringes of the opening 45 minutes but was presented with one glorious chance by Gallagher, which he curled high and wide. It was the sort of chance he simply had to take going forward. 5

Callum Hudson-Odoi

The academy graduate was named on the Chelsea team sheet at right wing-back. Fortunately, that wasn't the case as he began on the left of the three. Yet while there were a couple of nice bursts into the box from Hudson-Odoi, there wasn't enough purpose to his work on the ball. 5

READ NEXT:

Full Chelsea Premier League fixture list for 2022/23

Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Koulibaly announcement, Nathan Ake snub, Kounde boost

Thomas Tuchel's seven-word Chelsea message signals new Todd Boehly transfer approach

Todd Boehly promise and Ben Chilwell heir: Chelsea academy players to watch in 2022/23

Kalidou Koulibaly's first words after completing £33.8m transfer to Chelsea from Napoli

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.