Chelsea FC: Grading the Blues After Champions League Loss to Bayer Leverkusen

A win was a must against a weakened Bayer Leverkusen side, yet inexplicably late in the game André Villas-Boas brings on John Obi Mikel.

Really?

You know beating Leverkusen is a lot easier than beating Valencia especially after they ran riot against Genk. 

Why on earth would you not throw the kitchen sink at Leverkusen?

The sad irony is that even with Mikel on the field, Chelsea conceded and lost the game. 

Here are the grades for the Chelsea players after their disappointing (and that's putting it mildly) 2-1 loss to Leverkusen.

Goalkeeper: Petr Čech

Grade: A

Petr Čech made some outstanding saves to deny the scoreline from getting out of hand. 

Right Back: Branislav Ivanović

Grade: B-

Branislav Ivanović had Sidney Sam in his pocket for most of the game.

However the elusive and speedy Sam played better toward the end of the half and was the one who provided the assist for Eren Derdiyok.

Hence why the grade of B is downgrade to a B-. 

Centre Back: John Terry

Grade: D

John Terry played well for most of the game.

Except when he and Alex forgot to mark Eren Derdiyok.

Personally he looked offside but both defenders were blindsided by the Swiss, and one has to ask why is the case?

Did they think Derdiyok was a centre back coming on because when they turned to see Derdiyok there, their faces said it all.

OH S****. 

This happens week in, week out. 

Then the last goal. 

Terry is the leader of this defence so he has to take responsibility. What is wrong with it? 

Centre Back: David Luiz

Grade: B-

David Luiz didn't do much today as it seemed he was held back by an injury he suffered early in the game.

He didn't offer his customary playmaking from deep and wasn't himself today.

Left Back: José Bosingwa

Grade: C

José Bosingwa didn't make any mistakes but he also provided nothing in attack.

The decision to leave Ryan Bertrand out comes back to bite because this would have been a perfect opportunity to Bertrand play. 

Centre Midfielder: Raul Meireles

Grade: C

Raul Meireles didn't control the midfield, was overrun by Lars Bender and just didn't show enough creativity. 

Centre Midfielder: Frank Lampard

Grade: B-

Frank Lampard played well; he orchestrated play, he made runs and he even put in a few tackles. 

It's the players around him and specifically the players in front of him. 

The two wide forwards just seem so out of sync with the rest of the team, which is an issue. 

Centre Midfielder: Ramires

Grade: C

Ramires seemed lethargic today, and there was no lung-bursting runs from him. 

Simon Rolfes and Lars Bender really mopped up, which allowed Michael Ballack to assert his influence. 

Right Forward: Daniel Sturridge

Grade: A

It was a great game from Daniel Sturridge because today he was efficient with possession (except for that ludicrous long-range shot he took in the last minute) and he was lively.

Remember, he is a centre forward, not a wide player, yet he continues to impress.

He also worked hard tracking back, something Juan Mata doesn't do. 

Centre Forward: Didier Drogba

Grade: B

Didier Drogba scored but he wasn't the dominating Drogba that Chelsea supporters have to come to expect.

He wasted a few opportunities and could have played better. 

Then again, one has to ask is it because there isn't enough supply for him to prosper? For example, Juan Mata, the main playmaker who drifted out of the game today. 

Left Forward: Juan Mata

Grade: D

Juan Mata had no impact today and drifted aimlessly from the left side into the centre. 

His long-term future has to be from the centre so he can orchestrate play, as opposed to going missing like today. 

Substitutes

André Villas-Boas promised attacking football yet come crunch time, he always crumbles and plays conservatively. 

He subbed on John Obi Mikel even though it is clear that Chelsea needed to go for a victory. Why not bring on Fernando Torres? 

The thing with Mikel is that Chelsea still conceded. 

I'd rather concede a goal trying to score than concede a goal trying to defend, even though you're supposed to go for a win. 

It makes no sense going for a draw. It just doesn't. 

It's as naive as Roberto Mancini not playing his starting XI yesterday against Napoli. 

Oh and Alex is useless. Useless. I give him an F. The guy probably is on the field thinking about his move to Juventus, and he and John Terry are like "Whoops" as Eren Derdiyok wheels away in celebration.

Though Florent Malouda looked all right and been playing OK, one gets the feeling he isn't part of the long-term solution. 

Your Opinion

What grades do you give to the Chelsea players.

How confident are you in André Villas-Boas?

Please also read the Greatest Headed Goals You Will Find on YouTube.