Enzo Maresca made 11 changes to his Chelsea team to play Barrow on Tuesday night and his £416million B-team did not disappoint in a 5-0 Carabao Cup thrashing.
Mail Sport’s AADAM PATEL was at Stamford Bridge to rate the players’ performances as one Chelsea forward produced a finish reminiscent of Blues legend Gianfranco Zola, while another attacker delivered a first-class performance.
It wasn’t plain sailing for everyone though, as one midfielder struggled early on, while Ben Chilwell made his first appearance of the season.
Chelsea will be able to shift their focus back on Premier League action as they prepare to host Brighton on Saturday before European action in the days following that.
But they can first enjoy a successful night at the Bridge, with a number of Blues stars shining throughout the game.
Chelsea cruised past Barrow in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, with Christopher Nkunku (right) netting a hat-trick
Pedro Neto was also on the scoresheet with what was his first goal since joining the Blues
Enzo Maresca will have his sights set on winning a trophy in his first year in charge of Chelsea
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Filip Jorgensen – 7
Chelsea made 11 changes from their win against West Ham but still had a starting eleven that cost just over £400million. The 22-year-old Danish-Swedish goalkeeper didn’t have much to do but did what was needed of him whenever he was called upon and his remarkably long throw caught the eye.
Malo Gusto – 7.5
Eased back into the side after injury and showed his class in the first half, with a delightful assist for Nkunku’s second, taking a solid first touch before delivering a low cross. Won the free-kick for the third goal and all in all, was too good down the right flank before he was taken off at half-time for Ben Chilwell. Always a joy to watch.
Axel Disasi – 7
Doubt that he will get many easier days all season and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when his header was kept out by Paul Farman. Replaced for Joshua Acheampong just after the hour mark.
Benoit Badiashile – 7
Had a field day, with 134 touches on the night – more than any other player and winning more aerial battles (five) than anyone. A solid evening at the office for the 23-year-old as Chelsea kept a third clean sheet in a row.
Malo Gusto was eased back in after injury and showed his class before being substituted
Benoit Badiashile had a field day with 134 touches on the night – more than any other player
Renato Veiga – 8
The Portugal youth international was preferred to Ben Chilwell down the left and justified his start, playing an important part in the opening goal with a linebreaking pass through the centre to Joao Felix. Was defensively superb too as he showed his versatility, tucking in at centre-half after the break once Chilwell came on.
Cesare Casadei – 6.5
Did his job with ease against a Barrow midfield that simply couldn’t cope. Offers something offensively and defensively and the Italian will only develop with more gametime.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 6.5
Struggled to get in the game early on but grew in confidence and was comfortable in possession, without ever showing anything special. Nearly got himself on the scoresheet too with a volley that was fantastically saved by the Barrow keeper.
Pedro Neto – 7.5
Chelsea’s crazy squad depth was summed up by the fact that Neto, who cost £54m from Wolves in the summer, started. Was involved in the second goal with a smart backheel to Gusto and got his first Chelsea goal with a simple finish at the start of the second half. A productive night at the office, before he was taken off just after the hour mark.
Neto was involved in the second goal and went onto score his first in blue with a simple finish
Joao Felix was a class apart, running rings around Barrow all evening and got deserved luck with the own goal
Joao Felix – 9
A class apart. His link up with Nkunku was deadly, starting off with an audacious lobbed assist for the opener. Benefitted from a slice of luck as his free-kick hit the post and went off the Barrow keeper but it was the least he deserved as he ran rings around Barrow all evening.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 7
Enzo Maresca called on Mudryk to improve pre-match and after a quiet start, the Ukrainian showed some bright sparks. Credit to him for his unselfishness as he squared nicely for Neto’s goal and got himself an assist though he would have loved to get on the scoresheet.
Christopher Nkunku – 9.5
If Nkunku can stay fit, he will be deadly. Has six goals in 330 minutes of football for Chelsea this season, averaging one every 55 minutes. Chelsea’s best finisher and showed his class with a briliiant hat-trick. His first goal was well taken and his second was Zola-esque with a flick past the keeper.
And he showed his hunger, robbing Farman of the ball and finishing into an empty net to take the match ball home. The Frenchman only played 13 times in all competitions last season but has immense quality and could be a force under Maresca.
Nkunku will be dealy if he can stay fit – he already has six goals in 330 minutes of football this season
Substitutes
Ben Chilwell – 6
Left out of the starting eleven but came on at half-time for Gusto, which seemed like a pre-match plan by Maresca. It was his first appearance since April and he looked assured, albeit against weak opposition.
Tyrique George – 6
The 18-year-old came on for the last half an hour, playing down the right wing and really should have got his first Chelsea goal of the season but he somehow fired wide from a few yards out with only the keeper to beat
Joshua Acheampong – 6
Another 18-year-old who came on for the last half an hour as he replaced Disasi and played at right-back. Regarded as one of highly rated talents coming out of Cobham, alongside George.
Carney Chukwuemeka – 5
Came on for Felix for the latter stages.
Marc Guiu – 5
Replaced Nkunku in 76th minute
Ben Chilwell looked assured after coming on at half time for his first appearance since April
Enzo Maresca will be delighted with his side’s display with another box ticked and squad members getting vital minutes
Manager
Enzo Maresca – 8
Will be delighted with his side’s display. Another tick in the box and important minutes for various members of a packed squad.
