Ranking and Grading Chelsea Players on UCL Group Stage Performances
Taking 14 points from a possible 18, Chelsea secured the top spot in Champions League Group G, doing so with one game to spare.
Now awaiting the round of 16 draw—facing either Juventus, Basel, Bayer Leverkusen, Paris Saint-Germain, or Shakhtar Donetsk—there seems a quiet aura of expectation and confidence surrounding this Blues team.
Making light work of Group G, by comparison to others around the continent, there were some standout performers and some normally world-class players who failed to attend proceedings.
Ranking and comparing a goalkeeper to a centre-back on an equal plane is nearly impossible—as the expectations are vastly different—so we have ranked the Chelsea players according to their preferred positions.
Likewise, some Blues played less than a full game's worth of minutes, and it felt unfair to judge them without a full complement of work.
Goalkeepers
1 of 7
1. Thibaut Courtois
Stats: Appearances, 3 | Saves, 10 | Clean Sheets, 2
Grade: A-
Despite evenly splitting the six group-stage matches with Petr Cech, Thibaut Courtois received the harder schedule and performed better. Both keepers played one game vs. Sporting Lisbon, but the Belgian played twice against Schalke 04, Chelsea's stiffest competition in Group G.
Saving 10 shots and keeping two clean sheets, Courtois—barring injury or suspension—will likely play every match come the Champions League's revival in February.
2. Petr Cech
Stats: Appearances, 3 | Saves, 7 | Clean Sheets, 1
Grade: B+
Although undone by a fantastic strike from Agim Ibraimi against Maribor and offering less-than-spectacular defensive play vs. Sporting Lisbon, Petr Cech's 2014/15 Champions League group stage performance was as expected: comfortable.
Playing in Chelsea's 6-0 demolition of Maribor and seeing out the Blues' last group game vs. Sporting, 3-1, Cech may feel—and justifiably so—he deserves more opportunities when the UCL returns.
There should be interesting times between the sticks at Stamford Bridge.
Full-Backs
2 of 7
1. Filipe Luis
Stats: Appearances, 5 | Tackles, 23 | Clearances, 8
Grade: A
Not often found on Jose Mourinho's Premier League team sheets, Filipe Luis has taken his place in the Champions League with great aplomb.
Thought to have been the best left-back in European football last season, Luis should expect his name to be called on the continental front. Playing in his 50th European cup game vs. Sporting, the Brazilian has all the tools needed should Chelsea navigate deep waters in the Champions League this year.
2. Branislav Ivanovic
Stats: Appearances, 5 | Tackles, 10 | Clearances, 9
Grade: A-
Dani Alves may have stern competition in the "They call me a right-back, but secretly I'm a right winger" category this season. Branislav Ivanovic, who was brought to Stamford Bridge under the guise of centre-back, has become one of Europe's most dangerous advanced full-backs.
With an attacking Chelsea outfit in 2014/15, the Serbia international has taken to his overlapping, havoc-creating role like a fish to water.
3. Cesar Azpilicueta
Stats: Appearances, 2 | Tackles, 9 | Clearances, 11
Grade: B+
Cesar Azpilicueta's grade suffers after missing four Champions League games, giving way to Filipe Luis; but make no mistake, the Spanish full-back is Chelsea's best, nearly matching Branislav Ivanovic's total tackles in 270 less minutes.
The Blues will invariably find themselves matched against world-class wingers in this year's UCL march—expect to find at least one in Azpilicueta's back pocket.
Centre-Backs
3 of 7
1. John Terry
Stats: Appearances, 5 | Clearances, 18 | Goals, 2
Grade: A+
A Champions League centurion, John Terry is still playing at an elite level 11 years after his first appearance is quite staggering.
Forever in the correct defending position, whether for a clearance, block or tackle, the 34-year-old centre-back was unfortunate last year not to exorcise his 2008 and 2012 European demons; should he maintain his back line as he has done in the 2014/15 UCL group stage, he may well get the chance.
2. Gary Cahill
Stats: Appearances, 4 | Clearances, 20 | Goals, 0
Grade: A
From Andre Villas-Boas' 2011/12 transfers, Chelsea have sold Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku, Raul Meireles and Kevin De Bruyne for £91.1 million, but Jose Mourinho's former assistant was spot-on when he acquired Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill.
England's vice-captain has taken his west London opportunity by the neck, becoming John Terry's partner more than his understudy. Leading Chelsea in UCL blocked shots and clearances, Cahill thinks nothing of his body when defending—an invaluable characteristic for a centre-half.
3. Kurt Zouma
Stats: Appearances, 3 | Clearances, 10 | Goals, 0
Grade: B+
Learning his craft under Jose Mourinho, John Terry and Gary Cahill, one could think of no better situation for young defender Kurt Zouma.
Allotted more chances in the Champions League than the Premier League, Zouma is progressing in his development and should be a Chelsea stalwart for years to come.
His 2014/15 group stage work was relatively clean, making just one mistake by heading the ball across his own penalty area vs. Maribor.
Central Midfielders
4 of 7
1. Nemanja Matic
Stats: Appearances, 6 | Assists, 1 | Goals, 2
Grade: A++
Some might have thought £21 million for Nemanja Matic in January was "overspending Chelsea" at their best—especially considering the Serbian was on the west Londoners books from 2009 to 2011.
Flash forward 12 months and these people can be found under rocks.
The essential cog in Jose Mourinho's system, Matic allows Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas freedom of movement, provides Chelsea's back-four with cover and is comfortable enough on the ball to relieve pressure himself.
Unable to play last season with Chelsea in the knockout phases, Matic will contribute—fitness and availability provided—in every Champions League fixture the Blues play in 2014/15.
2. Cesc Fabregas
Stats: Appearances, 6 | Assists, 2 | Goals, 3
Grade: A+
Cesc Fabregas oozes class.
How the 27-year-old escaped from the Camp Nou or the Emirates baffles the mind, but those who sojourn to Stamford Bridge on a weekly basis shan't complain.
If John Obi Mikel is the "human vault," then Fabregas is a bolt cutter. The Spaniard's ability to link play and find killer passes is second to none in Chelsea's dressing room.
More surprising, however, is Fabregas being Chelsea's third-highest UCL tackler with 19. It seems not even recognised maestros are impervious to Jose Mourinho's defensive demands.
3. Ramires
Stats: Appearances, 4 | Assists, 0 | Goals, 1
Grade: B
Of his four matches in Champions League Group G, Ramires was a substitute in three—splitting the Nemanja Matic/Cesc Fabregas partnership proving nearly impossible.
What the Brazilian has on his side, however, is versatility. Able to play in wide areas, when Chelsea are faced with more challenging opponents in the knockout rounds, expect to see Ramires helping his full-back(s).
Scoring after latching onto a Didier Drogba cross vs. Schalke 04, should the midfielder provide more goals to accompany his athleticism, Jose Mourinho may find it hard dropping the "Blue Kenyan."
4. John Obi Mikel
Stats: Appearances, 2 | Assists, 0 | Goals, 1
Grade: B-
Two appearances and one goal for John Obi Mikel in the 2014/15 UCL group stage: A sign the world is ending or positive proof this Chelsea side can receive goals from anywhere?
The latter is more likely.
Normally coming on when Jose Mourinho needs a central midfielder to stymie attacks late in games, Mikel played well when offered the chance to play 90 minutes vs. Sporting Lisbon.
Attacking Midfielders
5 of 7
1. Eden Hazard
Stats: Appearances, 5 | Assists, 2 | Goals, 2
Grade: A+
Heralded before and since his Chelsea arrival, Eden Hazard has always received uncommon levels of acclaim, despite not always reaching the predetermined height.
This season, both domestically and in the Champions League, the Hazard many have been expecting since his purchase has shown up. A tormentor of full-backs and assisting midfielders, Hazard is unplayable at times, his only obstacle being himself.
Despite giving Didier Drogba a penalty vs. Maribor, the Belgian has two goals thus far and—should he continue his progression though the competition—may triple that figure come season's end.
2. Willian
Stats: Appearances, 5 | Assists, 1 | Goals, 1
Grade: A-
Prone to leaving his shooting boots at home, if Chelsea begin receiving goals from Willian there is little stopping them. His engine, both offensively and defensively, never stops revving.
Seemingly able to cover every blade of grass, there is no wonder why Jose Mourinho paid £30 million for the winger last summer.
Willian took over the 5-0 beating of Schalke 04, turning in, arguably, his best performance in a Chelsea shirt to date. If the Willian of 25 November appears in the knockout stages—look out.
3. Andre Schurrle
Stats: Appearances, 4 | Assists, 0 | Goals, 1
Grade: B
Easing his way back into full fitness after illness, Andre Schurrle found a Champions League net vs. Sporting Lisbon at Stamford Bridge.
Though more likely to score a goal than his right-sided competitor Willian, for Schurrle to take his game another level—and usurp the Brazilian—the German's diligence in tracking back must improve.
4. Oscar
Stats: Appearances, 5 | Assists, 0 | Goals, 0
Grade: C+
No goals or assists for a central-attacking midfielder is poor, but judging Oscar by offensive statistics alone can be misleading.
The Brazilian never fails to put a in shift for his team and tends to keep Chelsea's play moving, that said, these qualities are expected for professional footballers.
Matched with one of the more weaker groups, when the Blues' face better competition, Jose Mourinho will hope—along with all Chelsea supporters—Oscar rises to the occasion.
Strikers
6 of 7
1. Didier Drogba
Stats: Appearances, 4 | Assists, 1 | Goals, 2
Grade: A
Not much was expected from Chelsea's ageing war horse. Brought back to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer, Didier Drogba was thought to be relied upon for his mental strength and experience, not necessarily his goalscoring.
Assuming Drogba was coming back for charity, rather than to score goals, was daft; this season, he has a better UCL goalscoring ratio, per minute, than Gareth Bale or Alexis Sanchez.
Being 36 years old means nothing to a football being kicked. One can't assume anything.
2. Diego Costa
Stats: Appearances, 5 | Assists, 0 | Goals, 0
Grade: C+
Whether he wants to take it easy on Europe, so he is saving all his goals for the Premier League, Diego Costa having zero goals in the Champions League is almost unbelievable.
It is possible midweek games and Costa's body are not compatible, or maybe back luck has befallen the striker in the UCL. That said, if Jose Mourinho is not planning on starting Didier Drogba or Loic Remy come the knockout stages, Costa's ratio must improve for the Blues to have any chance of progression.
Incomplete Grades
7 of 7
Nathan Ake
Stats: Appearances, 1 | Minutes, 34 | Assists, 1
Setting up Eden Hazard's mesmerising goal vs. Maribor at Stamford Bridge, Nathan Ake showcased his burgeoning passing range and vision. A footballing Swiss Army knife, the Dutch teenager can play anywhere on the pitch—except probably striker and goalkeeper.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Stats: Appearances, 1 | Minutes, 7 | Passes, 9
If not already, allow this article to dub Ruben Loftus-Cheek the future of Chelsea's midfield. He only played for seven minutes vs. Sporting on 10 December, but Loftus-Cheek—after a dodgy first touch—was terrific. The 18-year-old's powering drives and long strides will be commonplace at Stamford Bridge for years to come.
Mohamed Salah
Stats: Appearances, 2 | Minutes, 77 | Shots, 5
Probably the fastest player in Chelsea's squad, Mohamed Salah has enough quality to play games at Stamford Bridge, but the crop above him are in another class. Only playing meaningful minutes in domestic cup matches, one wonders whether Salah will seek loan opportunities this winter.
Dominic Solanke
Stats: Appearances, 1 | Minutes, 21 | Passes, 4
Given his Chelsea debut in a 6-0 thrashing of NK Maribor, Dominic Solanke looks an impressive prospect moving forward. Scoring a hat-trick vs. Sporting Lisbon's U19 side on 10 December, the 17-year-old should have enough in his locker to challenge for a first-team place by his 20th birthday.
Loic Remy
Stats: Appearances, 3 | Minutes, 52 | Goals, 1
Injuries and the form of Diego Costa have rather impeded Loic Remy's Chelsea start; but with so many matches left to play in all competitions—not just the Champions League—Jose Mourinho will be forced to give his French striker another opportunity, at some point, in Europe's most prestigious competition.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
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