Rennes 1-2 Chelsea: Player Ratings as Blues Book Place in Last 16
Chelsea booked their place in the Champions League knockout stages following a late 2-1 victory against Rennes on matchday four.
The Blues started the brighter and should've had an early opener through Timo Werner, but the prolific German fluffed his lines with the goal gaping.
Frank Lampard's side soon had their goal, though, as Callum Hudson-Odoi pounced on a wonderful Mason Mount pass in behind the Rennes defence before slotting past the onrushing Alfred Gomis.
The hosts grew into the contest before the break and undoubtedly asked more questions of a previously untested Chelsea defence. They equalised through a superb Serhou Guirassy header but the visitors were able to snatch victory in the closing stages via Olivier Giroud's similarly impressive headed effort.
Let's get into Chelsea's player ratings.
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Edouard Mendy (GK) - 8/10 - Superb once again and could do little to deny Guirassy's thumping header.
Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) - 7/10 - A steady Eddie in all phases. Unspectacular but a bloody warrior.
Thiago Silva (CB) - 7/10 - Rennes target man Guirassy ensured the elegant Brazilian didn't have it all his own way in this one. Positionally faultless and covered wide areas well.
Kurt Zouma (CB) - 7/10 - Impressive start to 2020/21 continued in Rennes. Aerially dominant and looks pretty unflappable alongside the calming influence of Silva.
Ben Chilwell (LB) - 5/10 - There's no doubting Chilwell's bright start in west London but he was poor here. Erratic in possession and struggled one-vs-one on occasions against the talented Jeremy Doku.
2. Midfielders
Jorginho (DM) - 6/10 - Chelsea missed N'Golo Kante. The Blues' midfield was bypassed way too frequently with balls often finding the feet of Guirassy. The Italian was typically safe in possession.
Mateo Kovacic (CM) - 5/10 - A fairly quiet evening for the Croatian, who didn't really make much of an impact at all before being replaced in the second period.
Mason Mount (CM) - 8/10 - The 21-year-old's playing at such a high level at the moment, with his rich vein of form continuing on Tuesday night. His freakish tenacity and impressive technique were encapsulated in Hudson-Odoi's opener. Magic.
3. Forwards
Callum Hudson-Odoi (RW) - 8/10 - Looked bright from the get-go and was rewarded with a fine finish for the game's opener. Combined efficiently down the right and tracked runs of enterprising left-back Adrien Truffart admirably too.
Tammy Abraham (ST) - 7/10 - A selfless display from Abraham, who held the ball up well and worked tirelessly out of possession. Defended his own box impressively too.
Timo Werner (LW) - 5/10 - Missed a sitter in the opening stages which set the tone for a rather mundane performance. Movement was fine and he rotated well but appeared sluggish on the whole.
4. Substitues
N'Golo Kante - 6/10
Olivier Giroud - 7/10 - Match-winner with a wonderful header in the dying embers. Some leap.
Hakim Ziyech - 6/10
Kai Havertz - N/A