Chelsea player ratings: Academy stars shine with trio of goals as Thiago Silva proves rock at the back yet again
CHELSEA smashed their way past Juventus to leapfrog the Italians to top their Champions League group.
Goals from academy stars Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi as well as Timo Werner saw the Blues hammer Juve and jump to top.
It was equally pleasant viewing at the back for Thomas Tuchel in his 50th game in charge, keeping yet another clean sheet.
Here's how Simon Phillips rated the European champions.
Edouard Mendy – 8
He was fairly quiet in the first half but did get lobbed by Alvaro Morata and had to be saved by Thiago Silva.
He did have to make one very good save late on to keep his clean sheet.
Trevoh Chalobah – 8
Scored Chelsea's opening goal and celebrated like a man that has just scored on his first start in the Champions League.
Another mature and composed performance from the rising young star.
Thiago Silva – 9
His goal line clearance was absolutely superb.
A 37-year-old had no right to get to that, but this emphasises just how good this man is and he is getting better with age if anything.
Antonio Rudiger – 8
He was his usual self, a menace in the box and great at carrying the ball forward and joining the attack.
Another assured performance from the man who could end up a free agent in the summer.
Reece James – 9
Once again, we are running out of plaudits for this guy,.
He is easily one of the best young players in world football right now and he was very unlucky not to score twice in the first half if not for two great saves.
He did score in the second half with an emphatic finish.
Jorginho – 8
Dictating play and never giving the ball away, just another night for Jorginho playing football.
He was always available for the pass and was Chelsea's route out every time.
N'Golo Kante – 7
Unfortunately, he went off injured midway through the first half but he was having a good game until then.
Ben Chilwell – 8
Should have scored early on from six yards out, but it was another quality performance from a guy in top form.
He was good at the back as well when he did need to make some good recovery runs and tackles.
Unfortunately, he got what looked like quite a bad knee injury.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 9
A real lively menace and got Cuadrado booked early on with a good run.
He perhaps should have scored as well in the first half but he was really Chelsea's most dangerous attacker once again.
He made no mistake with his chance in the second half to put Chelsea 3-0 up.
Christian Pulisic – 6
He was relatively quiet to be honest in the first half and his first touch seemed to dessert him on occasions.
But he was asked to play in a slightly unfamiliar position and he tried to be effective.
Hakim Ziyech – 8
His hit and miss season continues.
One minute he was doing something excellent like taking the ball with a great turn and winning a free-kick, the next minute Tuchel was shouting at him for not finding Hudson-Odoi with a pass that would have left him one on one with the keeper.
Much improved performance from him tonight though.
SUBS
Ruben Loftus-Cheek for Kante (36 mins) – 8
He took a while to settle in to it when he first came on. but he soon got in the swing of it and set up Hudson-Odoi to score the third.
Cesar Azpilicueta for Chilwell (70 mins) – 7
Slotted in at left wing back and helped Chelsea see the game out.
Timo Werner for Pulisic (70 mins) – 7
His pace was an instant threat and scored right at the death to make it four.
Saul Niguez for Hudson-Odoi (75 mins) – N/A
Mason Mount for Jorginho (75 mins) – N/A
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