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Football London
Football London
Sport
Adam Newson

Chelsea player ratings vs Lille: Azpilicueta produces captain's display, Pulisic makes his mark

Edouard Mendy

Chelsea's goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Burak Yilmaz's first-half penalty and was a spectator as the Lille striker and Jonathan David headed wide. Mendy also could do nothing about Xeka's effort in the second period but was fortunate the midfielder's header struck the post. 7

Andreas Christensen

Deployed on the right of the back three, Christensen started off well but suffered an injury after jumping for a header. He was replaced shortly after the 30-minute mark. 6

Thiago Silva

The Brazilian was a calming presence in the early stages as Lille attempted to whip up the crowd; Silva made one vital block and an important headed clearance. His experience was vital as the game progressed and Chelsea took full control of the tie. Never looks rushed with or without the ball. 7

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Antonio Rudiger

Rudiger started a little shakily but grew into the first half. Shutdown the left flank in the second period and ensured Lille were unable to mount a comeback. 7

Cesar Azpilicueta

Back in at right wing-back having recovered from illness, Azpilicueta constantly got forward in the opening period as Chelsea struggled to create opportunities but was still solid in defence.

The Blues captain had more joy after the interval, however, and stole in at the back post to finish a Mason Mount cross and secure the Blues' place in the quarter-finals. 8

N'Golo Kante

Kante covered plenty of ground in the opening period but didn't have a great deal of influence beyond conceding free-kicks to stop potential Lille attacks. The Frenchman played a more reserved role in the second period as Chelsea looked to get over the line, but there was one fine run forward. 7

Jorginho

The Italian started the game sluggishly and conceded the penalty from which Burak Yilmaz scored, although it was a somewhat decision as the ball struck Jorginho's arm from close range in the penalty area. However, he stepped up in the final moments of the opening period as he played a perfect through ball through for Pulisic to score.

After the break, Jorginho was very reliable in possession but still fallible without the ball. Was replaced with 16 minutes to go with his job very much done. 7

Mateo Kovacic

Used alongside Jorginho and Kante in a midfield three, it was on Kovacic to provide attacking thrust and he did attempt to when in possession. The Croatian also had to cover a lot of ground to shut off the left flank and support Alonso. He was replaced at half time. 7

Marcos Alonso

This was Alonso's first start after recovering from Covid and he didn't get forward with his usual vigour, although that may have been by design. Saw out the full 90 minutes and will be much better for that come Saturday against Middlesbrough. 7

Kai Havertz

Preferred yet again as Chelsea's number nine ahead of Romelu Lukaku, the silky German worked hard in the opening period off the ball and linked play well when he did receive possession. Drifted out of the game in the second half as the Blues eased to victory. 7

Christian Pulisic

The American star started as part of a front two but saw very little of the ball in dangerous areas. That was until moments before half time when Jorginho played the ball through to Pulisic who finished expertly from an acute angle.

Struggled to get into the game after the break but his goal was a huge moment in the tie. 7

Substitutes

Trevoh Chalobah (for Andreas Christensen, 33)

Thrown on cold after Christensen was forced off, Chalobah was booked inside a minute for hauling down Jonathan David. But he improved as the game progressed and helped Chelsea secure their passage in the last eight. 7

Mason Mount (for Mateo Kovacic, 45)

Introduced at the break as Chelsea reverted to their traditional 3-4-2-1 shape, Mount delivered the cross from which Azpilicueta scored. Had an impact. 7

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (for Jorginho, 74)

Helped Chelsea ease through the latter stages. 7

Romelu Lukaku (for Christian Pulisic, 74)

Given 16 minutes to get on the scoresheet, didn't get an opportunity to do so. 6

Hakim Ziyech (for Kai Havertz, 82)

Handed minutes as Chelsea coasted home. N/A

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