Chelsea Player Ratings: Robert Sánchez Struggles and Key Performers Falter in Manchester City Defeat

Chelsea’s encounter with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium ended in a disappointing loss, highlighting both individual and collective shortcomings. The 3-1 defeat showcased moments of resilience but ultimately exposed several weaknesses in Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Let’s dive into the player ratings, analyzing who shone and who fell short against Pep Guardiola’s well-oiled City machine.

Goalkeeper and Defense

Robert Sánchez – 4/10
The Spanish goalkeeper had a night to forget. Sánchez struggled with distribution and decision-making, directly contributing to Manchester City’s dominance. His inability to organize the backline effectively left Chelsea vulnerable, and his failure to deal with shots from range emphasized his inconsistency in high-pressure games.

Marc Cucurella – 5/10
Cucurella had an average outing, offering little offensively while struggling to contain City’s wide threats. Although he showed glimpses of determination, his defensive positioning left much to be desired, allowing City to exploit the flanks.

Thiago Silva – 6/10
The veteran center-back was solid in patches but couldn’t provide the leadership Chelsea desperately needed. Silva made some crucial interceptions but was often left isolated as City’s quick transitions overwhelmed the defensive line.

Levi Colwill – 5.5/10
The young defender showed promise but was caught out of position during key moments. His inexperience at this level was evident, and while he displayed composure in possession, he struggled to cope with City’s relentless pressing.

Reece James – 6/10
Returning to the starting lineup, James provided energy and creativity down the right flank. However, his influence waned as the game progressed, and his defensive work was inconsistent. He needs more match fitness to reach his best form.

Midfield

Enzo Fernández – 6.5/10
Fernández was one of Chelsea’s brighter sparks, showing excellent vision and work rate. Despite his efforts, he was outnumbered in midfield, unable to dictate play as he often does. His set-piece delivery was a rare highlight for the Blues.

Moisés Caicedo – 5/10
Caicedo struggled to impose himself against City’s midfield maestros. His passing lacked sharpness, and he was often caught in possession. Defensively, he worked hard but failed to shield the backline effectively.

Conor Gallagher – 6/10
Gallagher’s energy and tenacity were evident, but his lack of end product hurt Chelsea’s chances. He pressed well and made a few key tackles but offered little going forward.

Attack

Raheem Sterling – 6.5/10
The former City winger looked lively and was Chelsea’s most threatening player in the first half. Sterling created a few chances and tested Ederson but lacked support from his teammates in the final third.

Nicolas Jackson – 5/10
Jackson’s movement was decent, but his finishing let him down. The striker missed a glorious opportunity to equalize, a moment that summed up his frustrating evening.

Mykhailo Mudryk – 5/10
Mudryk’s pace caused occasional problems, but his decision-making was poor. He failed to capitalize on promising situations and struggled to make an impact in the final third.

Substitutes

Cole Palmer – 6.5/10
Coming off the bench against his former club, Palmer injected energy and creativity into Chelsea’s attack. He showed flashes of brilliance but lacked support to turn the tide.

Ben Chilwell – 5.5/10
Chilwell replaced Cucurella but didn’t offer much improvement. His defensive contributions were minimal, and he failed to influence the game offensively.

Manager Rating

Mauricio Pochettino – 5/10
Pochettino’s tactical approach was pragmatic but ultimately ineffective. Chelsea’s inability to maintain possession and deal with City’s pressing highlighted flaws in the game plan. While injuries continue to hamper his options, the lack of cohesion in the squad remains a concern.

Conclusion

Chelsea’s performance against Manchester City exposed the gap between the two sides. While there were some promising individual displays, the team’s collective effort fell short. Players like Robert Sánchez and Moisés Caicedo will need to improve significantly if Chelsea are to challenge the Premier League’s top sides.

For Pochettino, this defeat serves as a reminder of the work ahead. Consistency, better decision-making, and tactical adjustments are crucial if Chelsea are to avoid more frustrating nights like this one.