Things were looking up for Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea heading into their clash with Sheffield United on Sunday.
The Blues were coming off the back of a season-best win over Man Utd at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, secured thanks to two added time goals from Cole Palmer, and extremely confident of bagging another three points up against the 20th-placed team in the Premier League.
Heading into additional time, thanks to their 2-1 lead, Chelsea would’ve been even more confident of picking up a second win of the week, however in the 93rd minute Oli McBurnie capitalised on some lax defending to snatch a point from the brink of defeat for Sheffield United.
Here’s Chelsea’s best and worst players from the disappointing draw, according to 90min’s esteemed player ratings:
Noni Madueke: 7/10
While he’s not been a consistent performer for Chelsea since joining during the 2023 winter transfer window, every once and while Noni Madueke has provided a moment of genuine quality for his new club.
He did exactly that on Sunday.
The wide forward cut in from the right flank in the second half before thundering the ball into the roof of the Sheffield United net, reminding many Chelsea fans of former favourite Arjen Robben.
Ultimately the goal wasn’t enough to win the game, but it perhaps gave Blues fans a preview of what could be to come from Madueke in the future.
Marc Cucurella: 3/10
So how many times has Marc Cucurella been Chelsea’s worst performing player in a game over the last two years?
The answer: quite a lot.
The ex-Brighton man was once again a defensive disaster at Bramall Lane on Sunday, completely falling asleep in the lead up to the Blades’ first half equaliser to allow Jayden Bogle to steal in behind him and fire into the net.
Chelsea are in dire need of a better left-back this summer.
