Chelsea player ratings: Pedro Neto star of the show but petulant Marc Cucurella has day to forget

CHELSEA opened their Club World Cup campaign with a low-key 2-0 win over LAFC.

Enzo Maresca named a strong side for the game in Atlanta, not taking the Blues’ MLS opponents lightly.

New boy Liam Delap started on the bench, with Maresca going for a more tried and tested line-up.

But despite beginning as a sub, Delap did come on to have an impact.

Goals by Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez went on to seal victory for the Blues.

Here’s how SunSport’s Etienne Fermie rated each Chelsea star on the night.

ROBERT SANCHEZ – 6

Flapped at a free-kick in the first-half. Made a really good stop with his feet to deny Denis Bouanga on 56 minutes.

Produced another save late on, but did the palm the ball into a dangerous area.

REECE JAMES – 5

Booked for a late challenge. Involved in a brief scuffle before half-time and did not emerge for the second half.

Not the England star’s finest outing.

TOSIN ADARABIOYO – 6

Yellow carded on the stroke of half-time but otherwise unruffled in the opening 45.

The former Manchester City starlet was tested more as the game went on.

LEVI COLWILL – 6

Reasonably solid performance at the back, although the Blues’ defence did get stretched as the game went on.

Colwill was guilty of misplacing passes at times.

MARC CUCURELLA – 4

Beaten incredibly easily by David Martinez on 51 minutes, but was spared his blushes when the LAFC substitute shanked his subsequent shot wide.

Involved in a few theatrical incidents and booked in the second half for a petulant challenge. Seemed to be constantly looking for arguments.

MOISES CAICEDO – 7

A typically tenacious performance in the middle of the park from Chelsea’s reigning player of the year.

Caicedo was effective in regaining possession and recycling the ball.

ROMEO LAVIA – 6

Played a few smart passes during a low-key first half.

Was replaced by Enzo Fernandez at the break.

COLE PALMER – 6

Uncharacteristically blazed a shot wildly over the bar after being set up by Pedro Neto.

Buzzed around and played a nice pass in the build-up to Fernandez’s goal, but wasn’t at his imperious best.

PEDRO NETO – 8

Brilliantly cut inside before whacking a left-footed shot beyond Hugo Lloris to give Chelsea the lead. Put in a brilliant cross for Jackson on 54 minutes.

Gorgeous through ball to set up Palmer, only for the England star to blaze over. Was a constant threat.

NONI MADUEKE – 5

Forced a decent stop out of Lloris on 17 minutes. Was often involved during the first half but little he tried came off.

Subbed just after the hour mark having failed to make a big impact.

NICOLAS JACKSON – 7

Played Madueke through with a brilliant pass. Later produced an even better ball to set up Neto’s opener.

Nearly scored with a second half header before being replaced by Delap.

SUBSTITUTES

Enzo Fernandez (for Lavia, 46) – 7

Sealed Chelsea’s win with a simple close-range finish.

Malo Gusto (for James, 46) – 5

A pretty underwhelming cameo from Chelsea’s backup right-back.

Liam Delap (for Jackson, 64) – 7

Some brilliant bustling centre-forward play to bully his marker before nearly teeing up Fernandez. Lovely cross to set up the Argentine’s goal.

Tyrique George (for Madueke, 64) – 5

A few nifty touches but didn’t really make much of an impact.

Dario Essugo (for Caicedo, 84) – N/A

Not enough time to show what he can do.

Christopher Nkunku (for Palmer, 84) – N/A

Forgotten man barely got a touch off the bench.