Winners
Kalidou Koulibaly
With his signing from Napoli only completed two weeks ago, it was no surprise that Koulibaly barely featured on Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States. Instead, he was given time to settle into the first-team group and get fully up to speed before being thrown into the starting XI.
That finally happened against Udinese with the Senegal international taking up the left-sided spot in the back three. That was the role vacated by Antonio Rudiger earlier this summer and given the German's performances under Tuchel, there are big shoes to fill for Koulibaly.
Yet the 31-year-old showcased against Udinese that Chelsea supporters have nothing to worry about. Never rushed in possession, Koulibaly helped work the ball into the Italian's half and when called upon defensively, he was flawless. There was even one Rudigeresque surge forward in the second period which, unfortunately, didn't result in him receiving the ball from Mason Mount.
READ MORE: Chelsea player ratings vs Udinese: Loftus-Cheek stands out, Kovacic impresses, Pulisic quiet
N'Golo Kante
Due to his vaccination status, Kante was unable to join the Chelsea first-team squad on their tour. But perhaps that was a blessing in disguise given the Frenchman's injury issues last term, as Tuchel alluded to while out in Los Angeles. "It is maybe not even the worst thing," the Blues head coach explained.
"We can give him a very individual load and maybe turn a disadvantage into an advantage. I don’t think he in particular needs a long time to adapt to our game because N’Golo is N’Golo and everybody is aware he is a key player. And he needs to be a key player [for us] if we want to win big stuff.”
As Chelsea's first-team group travelled from coast to coast in the USA, Kante undertook pre-season training with the Development Squad and later the Under-18s. He did feature in a friendly against Boreham Wood but hadn't played any further minutes in the build-up to the campaign.
The big debate ahead of Friday's game against Udinese was just how fit Kante would be. Somewhat unsurprisingly, there was nothing to worry about. The 31-year-old produced an all-action display, got on the scoresheet, and completed 90 minutes. He looks ready for Everton.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Loftus-Cheek was also absent from Chelsea's tour. As was the case with Kante, the 26-year-old's vaccination status meant he could not enter the United States. So he undertook pre-season training with the Development Squad and the Under-18s and featured in the friendly against Boreham Wood.
The problem Loftus-Cheek faces at Stamford Bridge is the competition in midfield. Not only is he behind Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic but Conor Gallagher appears to have jumped ahead of him in the pecking order after the England international returned from his loan spell at Crystal Palace.
There are two factors that benefit Loftus-Cheek, however. The first is that five substitutions will be allowed in the Premier League this term, so there is plenty of football to go around. And the second is the academy graduate has showcased his versatility over the last 12 months and again against Udinese.
Loftus-Cheek was used at right wing-back yet managed to find the back of the net and win the penalty for Chelsea's second goal of the morning. It may not be a position Loftus-Cheek envisaged himself playing in his career but with no cover signed for Reece James, it may prove his best chance of getting game time in 2022/23.
Raheem Sterling
Afforded only two 45-minute appearances during Chelsea's tour of the USA, Sterling was let loose against Udinese and led the Blues' attack. It paid off as the England international got on the scoresheet and caused the Serie A side's defence constant problems with his movement and direct running.
Deployed alongside Mount and Kai Havertz, Sterling was free to move into space across the frontline and constantly interchanged with his fellow attackers. It resulted in Chelsea playing their most free-flowing football of pre-season and ensured the England international maintained the goalscoring threat he developed at Man City.
In addition to his goal – a somewhat fortunate rebound after his initial shot was saved – Sterling also saw a first-half effort well saved by Marco Silvestri, a backheeled shot blocked, and a deflected shot from the edge of the box hit the post. There is no doubt he now takes his place through the middle of the Blues' attack against Everton.
Losers
Conor Gallagher
The fact Gallagher is in this section is no reflection on his display against Udinese in Saturday morning's behind-closed-doors friendly, it's largely down to the performances of those he is competing against for a starting role in Tuchel's midfield ahead of the opening game of the campaign against Everton.
Kante was, as discussed above, excellent on his return to the Chelsea side and Jorginho has appeared far fresher and influential after a much-needed month off over the summer. Then there is Mateo Kovacic, who starred when called upon last season and ran the show during the first half of yesterday's 2-0 victory.
Given the sheer number of games Chelsea have to play this term and the condensed fixture list due to the winter World Cup in Qatar, Gallagher will be given opportunities first-team opportunities. However, he may have to stay patient in the early weeks of the season if the form of those ahead of him is anything to go by.
Christian Pulisic
When Chelsea supporters discuss Pulisic, his electric form during the post-lockdown fixtures is often referenced. Yet that was two years ago and much has happened since at Stamford Bridge. So it no longer feels relevant when assessing the American star.
What's clear, however, is Pulisic has struggled to perform consistently for Chelsea since he suffered a hamstring in the 2020 FA Cup final. He doesn't appear to have the same confidence to skip beyond challenges and accelerate beyond defenders. His penalty-box instinct is now his greatest attribute.
But Chelsea require more than that from Pulisic given they often come up against deep defences. He needs to be able to pick the lock, to create space where there appears to be none. Yet against Udinese, there was none of that. Perhaps most damningly of all, after 90 minutes, it was difficult to recall the 23-year-old doing anything of note – and he is far better than that.
Kai Havertz
Having not found the net during Chelsea's time in the United States, there was hope that Havertz could step up against Udinese and get a confidence-boosting goal ahead of the start of the campaign. That didn't happen and the German didn't have a real chance to get on the scoresheet in Friday night's game.
That isn't going to be good enough in the season ahead. With Romelu Lukaku gone and Timo Werner potentially heading back to RB Leipzig on loan, there is pressure on Havertz to step up and be the consistent goalscorer Chelsea need. He has the technical ability required – there is no doubt about that – but whether he has the ruthless mindset remains the unanswered question.
READ MORE
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