Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea: Post-Match Player Ratings

𝕻𝖆𝖘𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝕮𝖎𝖙𝖞 𝕮𝖍𝖚𝖗𝖈𝖍 𝕯𝖎𝖌𝖎𝖙𝖆𝖑 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆

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Post on Dec 31, 2024

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Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea: Post-Match Player Ratings – A Shock Result & Individual Performances

The football world was stunned on Saturday as Championship side Ipswich Town secured a resounding 2-0 victory over Premier League giants Chelsea in a pre-season friendly. The result, a significant upset, offered a fascinating glimpse into the form of both teams ahead of the new season. While pre-season friendlies shouldn't be over-analyzed, the performance levels showcased – and the individual contributions – provide valuable talking points. This post-match analysis delves into the player ratings from both sides, dissecting the key moments and performances that shaped the game.

Ipswich Town: A Performance to Remember

Ipswich's victory wasn't a fluke; it was a testament to their organized approach, clinical finishing, and impressive work rate throughout the match. Manager Kieran McKenna's tactical setup clearly frustrated Chelsea, and the players executed their roles brilliantly.

Goalkeepers:

• Christian Walton (8.5): Walton was a commanding presence in goal. He made several crucial saves, showcasing excellent reflexes and positioning, particularly in the second half when Chelsea pushed for a comeback. His distribution was also impressive, launching attacks effectively from the back. A truly standout performance from the Ipswich keeper.

Defenders:

• Janoi Donacien (7.5): Donacien provided a solid defensive display, thwarting Chelsea's attacking threats down the right flank. His tackles were well-timed, and he displayed good composure under pressure. He also contributed positively in the attack, providing support and accurate crosses.
• Luke Woolfenden (7.0): Woolfenden was a reliable presence at the heart of the Ipswich defence. He won numerous aerial duels, made important clearances, and displayed good communication with his defensive partners. A consistent and dependable performance.
• Cameron Burgess (7.0): Burgess partnered Woolfenden well, forming a strong central defensive partnership that limited Chelsea's scoring opportunities. His reading of the game was excellent, and he dealt effectively with Chelsea's attacking threats.
• Leif Davis (7.5): Davis offered a significant attacking threat from left-back, providing width and delivering dangerous crosses into the box. His defensive contributions were also noteworthy, limiting Chelsea's right-wingers' influence.

Midfielders:

• Nathan Broadhead (8.0): Broadhead's energy and work rate were infectious. He tirelessly tracked back, disrupted Chelsea's passing lanes, and contributed positively in the attack, creating chances and linking up effectively with his teammates. A key player in Ipswich's midfield dominance.
• Massimo Luongo (7.5): Luongo dictated the tempo of the game from midfield, controlling possession and distributing the ball effectively. His experience was evident in his composure and decision-making. He screened the defence exceptionally well.
• Marcus Harness (7.0): Harness provided creativity and flair in midfield, creating space and finding passing lanes effectively. While not directly involved in the goals, his contributions to the team's overall performance were significant.
• Conor Chaplin (8.5): A truly outstanding performance from Chaplin. His movement and link-up play were excellent, and his clinical finishing in the opening goal was a highlight. He demonstrated a high level of composure and quality in front of goal.

Forwards:

• Nathan Tella (7.5): Tella's pace and direct running caused Chelsea's defence problems throughout the match. While he didn’t score, he contributed significantly to Ipswich's attacking threat, forcing defenders into mistakes.
• Kayden Jackson (7.0): Jackson worked tirelessly up front, holding the ball up effectively and creating space for his teammates. His presence caused problems for Chelsea's defence.

Chelsea: A Disappointing Display

Chelsea's performance was far from their usual standards. While pre-season, the lack of cohesion and clinical finishing was concerning. The individual performances reflected the team's overall struggles.

Goalkeepers:

• Robert Sánchez (6.0): Sánchez couldn’t be blamed for either goal but didn't display the commanding presence expected of a Premier League goalkeeper. His distribution could also be improved.

Defenders:

• Malo Gusto (5.5): Gusto struggled defensively, often being beaten for pace and failing to track back effectively. A disappointing performance.
• Levi Colwill (6.0): Colwill had a mixed game, showing glimpses of his quality but also making several errors in the build-up to Ipswich's goals.
• Trevoh Chalobah (5.5): Chalobah, like other Chelsea defenders, looked uncomfortable against Ipswich's attacking movement. He lacked composure and was often out of position.
• Ben Chilwell (6.0): Chilwell showed glimpses of his usual attacking flair, but defensively he was exposed by Ipswich’s right flank.

Midfielders:

• Enzo Fernández (6.5): Fernández was one of Chelsea's better performers, showcasing his technical ability and attempting to control the midfield. However, he lacked the support from his teammates.
• Conor Gallagher (6.0): Gallagher struggled to impose himself on the game, lacking his usual energy and drive. He was overshadowed by Ipswich’s midfielders.
• Cesare Casadei (6.0): Casadei displayed some moments of promise, but overall lacked consistency and decisiveness in his play.
• Carney Chukwuemeka (6.5): Chukwuemeka showed flashes of his talent but lacked the support to translate them into impactful moments.

Forwards:

• Nicolas Jackson (6.0): Jackson showed glimpses of his ability, but he couldn't find the back of the net and struggled to create chances. His link-up play also lacked precision.
• Christopher Nkunku (5.5): Nkunku failed to make a significant impact on the game, lacking the sharpness and movement expected of a player of his caliber.

Conclusion:

The Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea result is undoubtedly a shock, highlighting the unpredictable nature of pre-season friendlies. However, the performance levels showcased by both teams offer valuable insights into their current state. Ipswich demonstrated impressive organisation, tactical awareness, and clinical finishing. In contrast, Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm and showed vulnerabilities in defence and midfield. While pre-season results shouldn't be over-interpreted, this game undoubtedly raises questions for Chelsea's management about their readiness for the upcoming season. The individual ratings offer a more granular view of the performances, identifying both areas of strength and weakness for each team. Both sides will look to address the lessons learnt as they move toward their respective league campaigns.