Ranking Chelsea's 5 best players in 4-3 penalty shootout win against Southampton | EFL Cup 2021-22

Chelsea are through to the next round of the EFL Cup after beating Southampton on penalties. The Blues won 4-3 in the shoot-out after the game finished 1-1 in normal time.

Thomas Tuchel had to field a depleted team on Tuesday night as a number of first-team players were out injured. Cesar Azpilicueta, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Andreas Christensen joined Timo Werner, Romelu Lukaku and Christian Pulisic on the sidelines and were not in the squad.

Kai Havertz handed Chelsea a much-deserved lead right before half-time but a mistake at the back saw Southampton draw level early in the second half.

Speaking after the game, Tuchel said:

"It was an intense match of football, nice to watch for the spectators. It was an open fight, an intense match. We did a good shootout, a lot of quality. Kepa saved one, it was a miss too. There were a lot of changes. Unfortunately yesterday we lost Azpi with an injury, Andreas told us he could not play because he had tooth surgery and then Ruben. We missed three players that maybe would have started. I liked the energy today, it was a good game."

Here are Chelsea's 5 best players from the win over Southampton:

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#5 - Reece James

Reece James was set to play at right wing-back but multiple injuries in the squad ahead of the game saw him shift to right centre-back. The role was not new to the Englishman as he was used there by Tuchel in the Champions League final.

Southampton used the flanks a lot and that kept James busy throughout the game. He had to deal with Adam Armstrong while Kyle Walker-Peters also made some nice runs after cutting in from the flank.

Apart from a small lapse in concentration, the 21-year-old did well to deny Saints a clear opportunity from the left and forced them to switch wings most of the time. He also scored the final penalty in the shoot-out to earn Chelsea a place in the last-eight.

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#4 - Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz has his place in the team sealed for the time being as Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku are out injured. The German will be starting as the striker in the upcoming games too, and the goal on Tuesday night would have done wonders for his confidence.

After failing to get an assist or score in the 7-0 thrashing of Norwich City on Saturday, Havertz needed this goal to get himself going.

He was a threat every time he got the ball but the German does need to work a bit on his shooting. Quite a few of his shots were hit straight at Fraser Forster and did not trouble the Southampton keeper.

#3 - Callum Hudson-Odoi

Juventus v Chelsea FC: Group H - UEFA Champions League

Despite impressing on the left wing on Saturday, Callum Hudson-Odoi was forced to start at right wing-back. The Englishman would have played on the left wing if one of Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen was fit to start.

He did well at RWB and linked well with Reece James. The duo managed to keep the threat from Southampton's left wing to a minimum, forcing them to rethink their strategy at half-time.

Tuchel did push CHO to play in his natural left-wing position for 25-odd minutes of the game by bringing on Ben Chilwell. However, he could not do much as Southampton dominated possession and pressed high up the pitch.

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#2 - Trevoh Chalobah

Chelsea v Southampton - Premier League

Trevoh Chalobah was Chelsea's backup defender at the start of the season, but things have changed now. He has now established himself in the team, and has helped the Blues keep their defense solid.

Tuchel shifted Chalobah into the central role, moving him from right center-back – where he has played this season so far.

Chalobah looked unperturbed by the positional change and stood out as Chelsea's best defender on the night. The youngster looked calm on the ball and did not allow Southampton players have any space around the box.

He won eight aerial duels, made two tackles and also managed a shot on target.

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#1 - Kepa Arrizabalaga

Kepa Arrizabalaga's time at Chelsea has to be a case study for psychology. The Spaniard started well, but soon became error-prone. He has now bounced back and is looking more confident in every game.

The goalkeeper was partially at fault for the Southampton goal, but Saints would have won the game in normal time if it was not for him. He made three spectacular saves in the final few minutes of the game – two of them in injury time, after the visiting side won consecutive corners.

Tuchel was full of praise for the Spaniard and said:

"When everyone thinks about stoppage time and penalties it is a dangerous moment, you can lose concentration. It was important that Kepa kept us in the game with the double header save from the set pieces."

Chelsea might have to rely on Kepa a little more in January and February as Edouard Mendy will be off for AFCON.