Chelsea’s shock 3-2 defeat by Burnley on Saturday was their first opening-day loss since 1998. Here’s how we rated the class of 2017 at Stamford Bridge.
Caught off guard for the first Burnley goal but was left exposed by his defence for the other two.
Embed from Getty Images
At half-time, the summer signing from Roma – whose former team conceded only 38 goals in 38 games in Serie A last season – must have wondered what he had let himself in for. On a personal level, he put in a good display; composed on the ball and strong in the air.
He had a dreadful first half in a woeful defensive team display, losing track of everything around him. But he was key to the team’s second-half revival, bringing the ball out from deep, leading by example and scoring a well-taken goal.
Embed from Getty Images
Held his head high and puffed out his chest as he led Chelsea out for the first time as the club’s permanent captain. Left the pitch less than 15 minutes later after his red card. His determination and aggression clouded his judgement when lunging for a ball he could never have hoped to win, which gave the referee the chance to send him off.
Embed from Getty Images
Inevitably did not offer the quality from right wing-back of the suspended Victor Moses and with the visitors sitting deep his lack of true ability as an attacking force becomes more evident. Always available and defended with typical tenacity, but is not a natural wing-back.
Full of energy as usual but couldn’t prevent Burnley from counter-attacking through the middle in the first half. Much better when on the ball, he was often let down by a lack of movement from his colleagues, particularly in the first half.
Embed from Getty Images
As usual, saw more of the ball than anyone else on the pitch. But his passing radar was off and he offered very little in the opposition box against such a crowded defence. He was daft in getting himself booked for sarcastically applauding the referee and that cost him when his late lunge was deemed worthy of a second yellow.
Very unlucky to be booked early on, the Spaniard was Chelsea’s driving force early in the second half, and only a couple of smart stops from Tom Heaton prevented him scoring. He was always in good positions, on and off the ball, and made the most of it.
Attempted to lead the charge after the Blues fell behind and was by far and away Chelsea’s best – sometimes only – attacking option. The Brazilian was often surrounded by three men but still usually created space and committed defenders giving hope of an unlikely comeback.
Embed from Getty Images
A lack of support after going down to 10 men meant his inability to hold up the ball was cruelly exposed. His touch and awareness need to go up several notches if he is to have a chance of keeping his place, but his lack of movement was also alarming.
Had precious little time to make an impression – good or bad – before making way for Christensen.
Embed from Getty Images
Defended with very little trouble after replacing the unfortunate Boga and a composed display showed why he is so well thought of and would have scored only to be denied when Alvaro Morata needlessly knocked his goalbound shot into the net from an offside position.
One of the few plus points from a miserable afternoon, the Spaniard scored one goal and set up Luiz’s strike. His presence, touch and technique, and willingness to run the channels was both impressive and encouraging. The only blemish was when his goalscoring instinct betrayed him as he stupidly knocked Christensen’s shot into the net when the ball was already goalbound.