Badiashile flops as Jorgensen superb – Chelsea player ratings vs Heidenheim
Chelsea came through their stiffest European challenge so far to beat Heidenheim 2-0 and maintain their 100 percent record in the Europa Conference League.
An even first half saw Filip Jorgensen called into action numerous times while Christopher Nkunku wasted an excellent chance and Mykhailo Mudryk was denied a decent penalty shout.
Enzo Maresca’s side were short of their best throughout but made their quality count when Nkuku seized on good work from Jadon Sancho down the right to control and fire into the fire corner, but it again took Jorgensen and the offside flag to protect their lead more than once, before Mudruk smashed a second into the top corner late on from more good work by Sancho.
Cesar Casedai was sent off for a second yellow at the death.
Here, Football Insider rates the Blues players out of 10 for their performances in Germany.
Filip Jörgensen – 9 (Man of the Match)
Made increasingly vital saves in a surprisingly busy first half and had to be alert on a number of occasions after the break as well. May have reignited the debate over replacing Robert Sanchez in the Premier League side. Getting caught in possession to concede a dangerous chance after the hour harms his case, but an excellent double-save minutes later boosts it significantly.
Axel Disasi – 6
Up and down defensively as a couple of the best chances for the home side came at his expense down the right, but his high pressing was crucial in Chelsea breaking the deadlock.
Benoit Badiashile – 4
Despite breaking into the league XI in the win at Leicester his start on the continent was a shaky one as he was booked almost immediately and beaten too easily in the opening exchanges. Improved as the game went on, but a pass to Jorgensen when the keeper wasn’t looking in the second half almost led to disaster.
Jadon Sancho stakes claim to return to first Chelsea XI
Tosin Adarabioyo – 7
Positive influence defensively but squandered a glorious chance to volley his side ahead just before the half. A number of key interventions to deny home attacks and used his height to win various high balls.
Renato Veiga – 6
Looked pretty comfortable for the most part, although too much so at times as he risked passes getting intercepted in dangerous areas.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (off for Rak-Sakyi ’92) – 6
Hesitant at times but went close with a long-range blast midway through the first half and his excellent free-kick delivery should have been converted by Tosin. Some nice combination play but looked like he was lacking some confidence as his standing in the Blues squad remains debatable. Should have scored late but played a role in Mudryk’s strike.
Cesar Casadai – 5
Unfortunate. Won’t have done anything to threaten the likes of Moises Caicedo or Enzo Fernandez in central midfield. Put in a lot of effort but lacked quality. Booked for a poor mistimed tackle just before the break after a quiet half and then was sent off with the last action of the night for another.
Jadon Sancho (off for George ’92) – 8
Good game. Back in the side after illness the Man United winger looked sharp on the ball early while lacking end product. Found it in the second half to assist Nkunku’s goal, should have had a second when he found Dewsbury-Hall late on, then did get another with great work for Mudryk’s goal.
Christopher Nkunku scores again but misses glaring
Christopher Nkunku (off for Chukwuemeka ’76) – 7
Eventually took his obligatory European goal well to back his argument for inclusion in the Premier League side but should have had a hat-trick. Some nice build-up work on a few occasions but wasted a great chance inside half an hour when clean through, scooping onto the roof of the net, and finished tamely again just before his exit when streaking clear from a Felix ball. Probably won’t push his way into the first XI on the strength of this game, or improve his mood at the club.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 7
Arguably should have had a first-half penalty when clipped on the way into the box but denied after a long VAR review. Quiet outing otherwise until his excellently-taken goal. Encouraging but unlikely to change the club’s stance on a transfer.
Marc Guiu (off for Felix ’62) – 6
Got in plenty of good positions but failed to make the difference with any of them. Could have had four inside a quarter of an hour but snatched at multiple early chances. Positive signs but will have been extremely disappointed not to register.
Substitutions
Joao Felix (on for Guiu ’62) – 7
Neat on the ball as usual and probably should have got an assist when he put Nkunku clean through.
Carney Chukwuemeka (on for Nkunku ’76) – 7
Some positive work in attack in a rare appearance for the talented former Aston Villa man. Will hope to have convinced Maresca to give him a look in domestically.
Tyrique George (on for Sancho ’92) – 6
Samuel Rak-Sakyi (on for Dewsbury-Hall ’92) – 6
In other Chelsea news, Cole Palmer could trigger a Man City return as a new attack star is chased at Stamford Bridge.
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