After Chelsea overcame Derby 3-2 in the Carabao Cup, we examine the player grades from the game.
Willy Caballero: 6 –
The number two keeper made a good save to deny Jack Marriott in the second half.
Davide Zappacosta: 7 –
Supplied two crosses that ended up in the back of the net. His attempts to press the ball were caught out on several occasions, allowing Derby space.
Gary Cahill: 4 –
I am not sure how Cahill stayed on the pitch while Christensen was subbed. He is nowhere close to being good enough to play in a high line. He did not know when to press, he was run ragged down the channels and he gave the ball away for the first Derby goal.
Andreas Christensen: 5 –
I disagreed with his substitution as it is damaging to his already fragile confidence, especially when Cahill was worse than him. He looks like he is trying to impress to much by diving in for challenges and leaving the rest of the back line exposed. It does not look like Sarri fancies him.
Emerson: 6 –
He was caught out of position when Chelsea lost the ball a fair amount. But this is more of a consequence of how the team plays rather than his own defects.
Cesc Fabregas: 6 –
He played very high up the pitch. It was like he was playing his own game. This paid off when he scored but also led to space for Derby to exploit.
N’Golo Kante: 6 –
I forgot he was playing in the first half. Again, he does not really move the ball as quickly as he should in a Sarri side.
Mateo Kovacic: 7 –
Another good performance. He keeps possession even when under pressure and he played incisive forward passes.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 7 –
Top of the grades. He is such a talented player. He should not be playing out wide but it is better than nothing. His first touch allows to escape players and drive away in the same movement.
Willian: 6 –
A slight disappointment after an excellent performance against Burnley. He did combine well with the other forwards.
Alvaro Morata: 6 –
He is playing better than he was earlier in the season. He must take his chances more regularly.