Ranieri: Duff var bäst
Sex nyförvärv fick chansen i gårdagens segermatch mot Zilina. Enligt tränare Claudio Ranieri var Damien Duff den i hela laget som utmärkte sig mest.
- Duff var bäst. Alla bollar han slog var farliga, säger Ranieri, som var nöjd med matchen som helhet.
- Vi rörde oss mycket bra och tog emot bollar bra, och det var mycket viktigt att vinna.
Nyförvärven Glen Johnson, Wayne Bridge, Juan Seabastian Veron, Damien Duff och Geremi fanns alla med från start i 2-0-matchen. Dessutom kom Joe Cole in i andra halvlek.
- Wayne Bridge och Glen Johnsong hjälpte till att göra laget kompakt och kom också emellanåt framåt. Geremi gav mittfältet bra balans, Juan Veron gav det kvalitet, men jag tycker Damien Duff och Joe Cole spelade mycket bra.
Så här bedömde The Guardian (G) och Evening Standard (ES) Chelseas nyförvörvärv i gårdagens match:
Wayne Bridge
Played 90 mins
G: Verdict Faced by a tricky opponent in Miroslav Barcik and was exposed once. Kept things simple with his passing.
ES: Was exposed defensively in the first half but linked well with Duff and crossed effectively. Should prove a fruitful partnership on the left.
Glen Johnson
Played 90 mins
G: Verdict Made a promising enough start, using his pace to get out of trouble on once when caught out. Occasionally got forward.
ES: Got forward well and his maturity is bound to have impressed the watching Tord Grip. Likely to be named in Saturday's England squad.
Geremi
Played 90 mins
G: Verdict Took time to settle into his central holding role but then was efficient, rarely giving the ball away.
ES: Did nothing wrong but does not dominate like Patrick Vieira or Roy Keane. Could soon find Claude Makelele competing for the holding role.
Damien Duff
Played 70 mins
G: Verdict Lively down the left, not least when he set up Gudjohnsen's goal. Always willing to take people on.
ES: The best player on the pitch by some distance, his direct approach and quality delivery make his £17million transfer fee appear to be a bargain.
Joe Cole
Played 20 mins
G: Verdict Came on for Duff and capped his cameo with a back-heel that lead to the decisive second goal.
E: Came off the bench to make an impact in the last 20 minutes. Could develop a crucial role as the game-breaker against tired legs.
Juan Veron
Played 90 mins
G: Verdict Involved in several good moves including the first goal. Quieter second half but industrious.
ES: Showed some neat tricks and flicks early on but drifted out of the game. Needs to be played in a central role and given more firm direction.
