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

Sripad
Chelsea v Southampton - Carabao Cup Round of 16
Chelsea v Southampton - Carabao Cup Round of 16

#3 - Callum Hudson-Odoi

Juventus v Chelsea FC: Group H - UEFA Champions League
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.


#2 - Trevoh Chalobah

Chelsea v Southampton - Premier League
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.


#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.

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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava
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