Chelsea Stumble in Greece: Player Ratings from the Panathinaikos Draw
Alright, Blues fans, let's talk about that Champions League trip to Athens. It wasn't exactly the dominant performance we've come to expect from Chelsea, was it? We scraped a draw against Panathinaikos, a result that leaves us needing to step up our game big time if we want to top the group. Let's break down the performance with player ratings, shall we?
Starting XI
Robert Sanchez (6/10): Sanchez had a quiet night, honestly. Not much to test him, but he was solid when called upon. It's good to see him getting some minutes under his belt.
Malo Gusto (7/10): Gusto was a bright spark. He was lively going forward and showed his defensive solidity. He's really establishing himself as a key player for the Blues.
Levi Colwill (7/10): Colwill continues to impress. He's so composed and confident at the back. He's got that "leader" vibe about him, and he looks like a future captain material.
Wesley Fofana (6/10): Fofana was solid but not spectacular. He did his job, but it was a bit of a quiet game for him.
Ben Chilwell (6/10): Chilwell put in a decent shift, but he wasn't quite the attacking force we know he can be. He'll be looking to find his scoring boots soon.
Enzo Fernandez (7/10): Fernandez is the engine room of this team. He controls the game from midfield and orchestrates attacks. He's such a valuable player, a true leader.
Conor Gallagher (6/10): Gallagher was energetic and worked hard, but his passing accuracy let him down a bit. He needs to clean up those final balls to unlock his full potential.
Mykhailo Mudryk (5/10): Mudryk's struggles continue. He wasn't able to make a real impact on the game. He needs to find some confidence and show what he can do.
Nicolas Jackson (6/10): Jackson had some good moments, but he couldn't find the back of the net. He's still adapting to the Premier League, but he's got the potential to be a real threat.
Raheem Sterling (7/10): Sterling was a constant menace for Panathinaikos. He created chances and looked dangerous throughout the game. He's still one of the best in the league, and we need him firing on all cylinders.
Carney Chukwuemeka (6/10): Chukwuemeka came on with a bit of energy and made a few good runs. He's still developing but has the potential to be a great player for Chelsea.
Takeaways
This draw was a missed opportunity for Chelsea. We dominated possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances. We need to be more clinical in front of goal if we want to compete for the Champions League title. The positive is that we got a point on the road, but it's clear that we need to improve if we want to top the group. Let's hope this was just a blip on the radar and we bounce back in our next game.
Come on, Chelsea!