Pedro Neto wows, Noni Madueke a let down – Chelsea player ratings in win vs LAFC
Chelsea started their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over LAFC thanks to goals in either half from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.
This was a first game for Enzo Maresca‘s side since their UEFA Conference League final win over Real Betis at the end of May, as they got their quest for more silverware underway.
After what was a largely dominant first half for the Blues, they would take a 1-0 lead into half time, thanks to Neto‘s strike with 34 minutes on the clock.
They would then double their lead with ten minutes of normal time remaining, with debutant Liam Delap teeing up fellow substitute Fernandez to fire in a cross from close range.
That was enough to ensure Maresca’s side began their campaign with all three points with a victory many expected them to claim.
| Chelsea last five games | Result |
| Newcastle United (A) | Lost 2-0 |
| Manchester United (H) | Won 1-0 |
| Nottingham Forest (A) | Won 1-0 |
| Real Betis (N) | Won 4-1 |
| Los Angeles FC | Won 2-0 |
Here is how Football Insider rated the performances of the Chelsea squad in that opening game of their Club World Cup campaign.
Chelsea defence comes through LAFC pressure
Robert Sanchez – 5
Sanchez is still being backed at Chelsea despite a difficult season, and he didn’t have too much chance to make a point here with few saves to make.
Reece James (off for Gusto, ’46) – 6
Only got the first half with Maresca seemingly looking to manage the minutes for key players, but was fairly solid while on the pitch.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 5
Not the most convincing of performances from the centre-back who had some loose touches and came under pressure at times in the second as LAFC put the pressure on.
Levi Colwill – 7
Did a decent job defensively and helped considerably with the press as Chelsea looked to asert control on the game in the first half.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Was beaten in a foot race 19-year-old David Martinez early in the second half, but otherwise fairly untroubled.
Moises Caicedo (off for Essugo, ’84) – 7
Caicedo shone for Chelsea during the season, and while this wasn’t a stand out performance, it was another solid one from the Ecuadorian.
Enzo Maresca’s substitutes seal the win
Romeo Lavia (off for Fernandez, ’46) – 6
After limited minutes due to fitness concerns during much of the season, it is perhaps no surprise Lavia came off at the break after a quiet first half.
Cole Palmer (off for Nkunku, ’84) – 7
Not a night where he could find an end product, but some of his runs and touches really helped Chelsea to take control of the game, and troubled the LAFC defence.
Pedro Neto – 9 – Player of the Match
An impressive night. Took the opening goal for his team really well, made some dangerous runs and put in some threatening crosses in a strong performance.
Nicolas Jackson (off for Delap, ’64) – 7
Jackson is keen to stay at Chelsea despite the signing of Liam Delap and links with other strikers. A brilliant assist for the opener will have helped his cause, even if he was somewhat quiet otherwise.
Noni Madueke (off for George, ’64) – 4
Horrible. A frustrating night for the winger, with nothing seeming to come off for him, be it shots, crosses or runs forward.
Substitutes
Malo Gusto (on for James, ’46) – 5
Gusto endured a disastrous Conference League final, and he wasn’t the most convincing here, although he did at least avoid any major incident.
Enzo Fernandez (on for Lavia, ’46) – 7
Took the captain’s armband when he came off the bench, and made a skipper’s contribution with a good finish for the all-important second goal.
Liam Delap (on for Jackson, ’64) – 8
A really promising debut. His cross to Fernandez for that second goal was pinpoint, and even beyond that the runs and touches he made were exciting and gave the LAFC defence a fair few problems.
Tyriqe George (on for Madueke, ’64) – 6
At the end of a breakthrough season this was a less convincing performance from the winger with some loose touches allowing the MLS side to put some pressure on.
Dario Essugo (on for Caicedo, ’84) – 5
Another Chelsea debutant with the young midfielder coming off the bench late on.
Christopher Nkunku (on for Palmer, ’84) – 5
The striker got some minutes late on with Chelsea allowed a sixth substitute after LAFC had made a concussion substitute in the first half.