Chelsea Player Ratings: Shamrock Rovers Friendly Result
Chelsea's pre-season friendly against Shamrock Rovers provided a chance for Mauricio Pochettino to assess his squad's progress. While the result – a comfortable victory – is secondary at this stage, individual performances offered valuable insights. Let's delve into the player ratings from the match.
Goalkeeper
Robert Sanchez (7/10): A relatively quiet evening for Sanchez, but he commanded his area well and showed good distribution when called upon. He didn't face a barrage of shots, but his positioning was consistently strong, instilling confidence in the backline. A solid, if unspectacular, performance.
Defenders
Malo Gusto (7.5/10): Gusto looked lively down the right flank, showcasing his attacking prowess with some dangerous crosses. Defensively, he was solid, offering good cover and winning back possession effectively. A promising display from the young full-back.
Levi Colwill (7/10): Colwill demonstrated his composure and reading of the game, intercepting passes and making crucial clearances. He remains a strong candidate for a regular starting position this season. A dependable performance that showed his maturity.
Benoît Badiashile (6.5/10): Badiashile had a solid game, showing strength in the air and generally comfortable in possession. While not spectacular, he provided a solid foundation in the defense. Room for improvement, but a satisfactory outing nonetheless.
Ian Maatsen (7/10): Much like Gusto on the opposite flank, Maatsen was a threat going forward. His delivery into the box created several chances. Defensively, he tracked back well and maintained his discipline.
Midfielders
Conor Gallagher (7/10): Gallagher controlled the midfield with his energy and tenacity. He displayed his box-to-box capabilities, contributing both defensively and offensively. He displayed some excellent passing and linked play well with the forwards.
Andrey Santos (6.5/10): Santos showed glimpses of his potential, demonstrating good technique and distribution. He needs more time to settle into the team, but his future looks bright.
Cesare Casadei (6/10): Casadei worked hard in midfield but lacked the final pass or decisive moment in the attacking third. He displayed some potential, but consistency needs improvement.
Forwards
Nicolas Jackson (8/10): Jackson was the standout performer, showcasing his pace, movement, and clinical finishing. His goals and overall contribution suggested he's ready for the challenge of the Premier League.
Armando Broja (7/10): Broja played with intensity, creating space for himself and his teammates. He could’ve added a goal to his performance, but his overall contribution was valuable.
Substitutes:
Several substitutes were introduced, contributing positively to the game, albeit with limited time to make a significant impact. Their performances were encouraging and highlighted the strength in depth within the squad.
Overall
The friendly against Shamrock Rovers provided a useful workout for Chelsea. While the opposition was weaker, it gave players valuable minutes on the pitch. The performance was a positive sign as the team builds towards the start of the Premier League season. The individual performances highlighted some promising players, reinforcing optimism for the future. The team displayed solid cohesion and an intent to play attacking football, a good sign under the new manager.