Player ratings: Chelsea lack cutting edge in frustrating away defeat

Karim Adeyemi’s ruthless counter-attacking goal saw Chelsea suffer a 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion. The Blues missed a host of chances to grab a goal to go into the second leg of the tie on level terms. Chelsea must now overturn the one-goal deficit in three weeks’ time if they wish to reach the next round of the Champions League.

Kepa Arrizabalaga- 6/10

A quiet evening for Kepa, who could do very little about Dortmund’s Adeyemi rounding him to score the winning goal. The Spaniard did make one solid save from a curling Julian Brandt effort into the bottom corner.

Reece James- 7.5/10

A difficult first half for James, not helped by picking up an early yellow card. In the second 45, however, James burst into life. Going forward he looked unstoppable at times and could have got himself a couple of assists. An incredible stretching last-ditch tackle prevented Dortmund from doubling their advantage.

Thiago Silva- 7/10

It seemed Silva had opened the scoring for the Blues early into the game, although on further inspection it was courtesy of a clear handball. Defensively, Silva was exceptional as always, hardly putting a foot wrong.

Kalidou Koulibaly- 8/10

A really impressive performance from a man who has found his game time severely limited in recent weeks. Koulibaly made some good blocks and looked aerially dominant throughout the game. Going forward he made a very impressive dribble and was desperately unlucky to see his goal-bound shot cleared off the line.

Ben Chilwell- 6/10

Another player who had a difficult first half. Chilwell struggled to cope with Brandt and was beaten on the left wing on several occasions. A big improvement in the second half, however, was positive to see. Still not fully recovered from injury, the Englishman was subbed off in the second half.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek- 7/10

Yet another Chelsea player who improved in the second half. Ruben struggled to deal with Bellingham in the first 45 but managed to more than hold his own after the break. The midfielder made three successful tackles and looked strong going forward. He could have had an assist when his low cross found Koulibaly, whose shot was blocked on the line.

Enzo Fernández– 6/10

Fernández suffered defensively today operating in a two-man midfield. The Argentine was dribbled past on three separate occasions and often left big gaps between himself and the defensive line for Dortmund to exploit. Positively, however, his passing was once again exemplary, with 66 completed passes in the game – the most of anyone on the pitch. 

João Félix- 6/10

On the ball, Félix looked incredible today. His close control is second to none and his use of the football is almost perfect, hardly ever wasting possession going forward. It was, however, a game of missed chances for the Portuguese star. The attacker was guilty of blazing a golden opportunity over the bar, before hitting the crossbar later in the same half from close range. One final chance late in the game saw him strike a tame effort straight into the keeper’s arms.

Mykhailo Mudryk– 4/10

A really disappointing Champions League debut at Chelsea for Mudryk. The Ukrainian squandered an early chance when he ran through on goal only to find the ball trapped under his feet. From there he was very much on the periphery of the game. He needs to find a way to involve himself going forward more. 

Kai Havertz- 5/10

Should have certainly had an assist early in the game if he had been able to find a completely unmarked Hakim Ziyech inside the box – his cross failed to beat the first man. The German looked lively in the game and was heavily involved throughout, but again his finishing touch was just not there. Havertz headed wide from close range moments before Dortmund opened the scoring.

Hakim Ziyech- 7/10

A promising display from the man who looked destined to leave Chelsea at the end of the January transfer window. Ziyech sprayed a number of fantastic passes around the pitch throughout the game and should have had an assist when he found Félix inside the box. Also showed some nice dribbling late in the game.

Subs

Mason Mount- 5/10

Despite a good pass through to Havertz that should have resulted in a goal, Mason Mount’s short cameo will be remembered for another reason. The English midfielder was on the end of a poor challenge, but his reaction to the tackle earned him a booking in the final moments of the game – meaning Mount will now miss the return fixture through suspension.

Marc Cucurella- 6/10

A late substitution into the game. Cucurella looked lively and was defensively solid. Did not offer much going forward, however.

Graham Potter- 6/10

Graham Potter will have no idea how his side has come away having lost that game. His side created chance after chance in the game, but the ball just did not seem to want to go into the net. Chelsea did concede a very preventable goal from a counterattack, but on a positive note, a one-goal deficit going into the home fixture against Dortmund is certainly possible to overturn.

Twitter- @Kieranroy1