Chelsea ratings: Joao Pedro pays back his transfer fee with two spectacular goals but Robert Sanchez is a liability

The Sun

3 days ago

CHELSEA blew away Fluminense to book their place in the Club World Cup final, thanks to two spectacular strikes from £60m new striker Joao Pedro.
The 23-year-old Brazilian scored in both halves to more than repay Chelsea's faith in him - and almost repay his transfer fee.
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Chelsea have earned just over £61m in prize money by reaching Sunday's final in New Jersey with the potential of another £10m if they win it.
Enzo Maresca's side now have the chance of making history against either PSG or Real Madrid.
Here's how SunSport's Mark Fleming rated Chelsea's match winners.
Robert Sanchez - 3
Made a howler when he was rooted to his line after 26 minutes but Marc Cucurella bailed him out with a goal-line clearance.
His distribution was also flaky, too often missing the target.
Made a save from Eve but even that wasn't convincing. And he even managed to pick up a yellow card for time wasting.
Sanchez is a liability and it seems incredible that Chelsea are continuing with him as their No1 keeper.
Malo Gusto - 6
Played more as a right winger in the New Jersey heat but didn't wilt.
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As the match progressed, built up a much better understanding with Nkunku.
Still has yet to score for Chelsea, and didn't look like ending that with a speculative shot from distance that sailed harmlessly wide.
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Marc Cucurella - 8
Showed terrific anticipation to clear Hercules' shot off the line in the 26th min.
Defensively solid as ever, and went close with a shot from distance after 53 mins that flew inches past the far post.
Trevor Chalobah - 5
Lucky not to concede a penalty on 36 mins when VAR correctly overturned the decision to give a spot kick for handball.
Looked uncomfortable in possession and often just played the simple short pass.
Tosin Adarabioyo - 5
Solid at the back, and also gave nothing away in a bizarre interview during the halftime break.
His distribution is limited, and only served to demonstrate how much they missed the suspended Levi Colwill, whose passing is on a different level.
Enzo Fernandez - 6
Growing into his more advanced role but still did a thorough defensive shift.
His runs into the box are becoming a key feature of this developing Chelsea team.
Wonderful pass with the outside of his foot to set up Joao Pedro's second goal.
Moises Caicedo - 7
Back in the team after missing the Palmeiras through suspension, and at the heart of the midfield as Blues fans have come to expect.
Enjoyed a physical battle with Nonato throughout.
Fizzed a long distance shot over the bar early in the second half.
Pedro Neto - 8
In the form of his life right now.
Was Chelsea's most attacking outlet in the first half, tormenting the Fluminense right back Guga.
Unlucky to see his shot blocked by Thiago Silva just before the interval.
He started to fade a little in the second half, and was replaced by Madueke.
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Cole Palmer - 6
Very quiet first 45 from Chelsea's talisman who struggled to get on the ball.
Much better second half, that included one twisting, turning run that had the fans on their feet.
Also a wonderful cross field pass for Nkunku.
Could have completed the game with a simple tap-in had Nicolas Jackson had the vision to pass to him when he was completely unmarked instead of firing into the side netting.
Christopher Nkunku - 5
Seems happier in a more central role, with Gusto on the right wing but lacked any cutting edge.
Should really have scored with a header late in the first half just six yards out.
And had two good chances to score in the second as well that he spurned.
His days as a Chelsea player look to be numbered.
Joao Pedro - 9
What a game! Made his first start since his £60m move from Brighton and scored a brilliant goal from outside the box in the 18th min.
And then the Brazil star pulled off an even better finish in the 55th min with a sensational strike off the underside of the bar to double the lead.
However he didn't celebrate as Fluminense is one of his former clubs.
Two wonder goals, and plenty of hard work before he was denied the chance to clinch a hat-trick as he was replaced by Nicolas Jackson on the hour
Subs
Nicolas Jackson (sub for Joao Pedro, 60mins)
Given half an hour but failed to click and now looks destined to be Joao Pedro's understudy.
Selfishly shot into the side netting when he should have squared the ball to Palmer in the last 10 minutes.
Noni Maduke (sub for Neto, 67 mins)
The right winger might be dreaming of a move to Arsenal but he still has a job to do for Chelsea.
Plenty of energy as Chelsea closed out the game.
Reece James (sub for Gusto, 67 mins)
Brought composure and a calm head as Maresca's men saw out the final 20 minutes.