Chelsea ratings: Enzo Fernandez provides steady presence but Mudryk is hooked and Cucurella all at sea in a tie at Fulham

CHELSEA struggled again as they limped to a goalless draw against Fulham.

Graham Potter threw out January signings Benoit Badiashile and Mykhailo Mudryk, but the standout name in the starting XI was Enzo Fernandez.

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Two other newcomers arrived for the Blues but for all the £680m in the starting XI and substitutions they couldn’t buy a goal.

And the stalemate means Chelsea remain behind Fulham in the table and could be 12 points adrift of the top four by tomorrow night.

Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated Graham Potter’s men…

Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6

The £71m goalkeeper made a flying save to prove the old money matters as much as the new money, tipping a rasping Andreas Pereira drive around the post.

A few nervous moments with the ball on foot and then a huge sigh of relief as he came back to save Alexandar Mitrovic’s shot from miles away.

Reece James – 5

Amid all the money being spent, the return of Reece James at right-back might be the best news of all for Potter.

But far from his brilliant top standards – as expected – on his comeback from the knee injury that shattered his World Cup dream, despite performing well and having his hands full with ex-Chelsea man Willian.

Delivered a wonderful cross but couldn’t make out his man clearly before being pulled back on the hour.

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Thiago Silva – 7

Aging. Fine. Wine.

The 37-year-old once again proved his sheer class with another Rolls Royce in the rear – not for the first time in his fine career.

Caught up once by Willian but aided by his partner.

Benoit Badiashile – 7

Put his disappointment in the Champions League aside to play alongside Silva – he pops up when needed and comes across as a really dominant force.

This could be the foundational partnership in the second half of the season to revitalize the campaign.

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Marc Cucurella – 3

There are still serious doubts about Marc Cucurella and tonight showed why as he has been repeatedly beaten defensively and at times looked lost out there.

Spent most of his evening chasing shade, on the deck or complaining to the referee – the sight of Ben Chilwell on the Chelsea bench was a welcome sight.

Conor Gallagher – 4

Forgot he was playing three in midfield until the 55th minute when he delivered a pathetic corner that was cleared by the first man at the near post.

His second notable involvement was a cynical late foul that earned him a yellow card. Not the kind of performance that will keep him on the team.

The third saw his lightning strike deep against the outside of the post – many in the ground thought he was in.

Enzo Fernandez – 8

The £107million man was there from the start less than 72 hours after completing his record-breaking British move – and looked right at home in the bleached blondes’ battle with Pereira.

Fernandez came smack in the middle of his defensive duties and then, just like his No. 5 predecessor, began pulling the strings from deep.

Almost capped a fine debut with a brilliant long-range shot that went just wide of the post – that would have been a way to introduce himself to England.

Maurerberg – 4

Seemed much more effective as a high No.8 than as a reverse winger and would have set up Kai Havertz for the opening goal before Tim Ream’s crucial touch.

But after his heroics in the first half, he faltered in the second half and lost for large parts, so he was rightfully pulled off.

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Hakim Ziyech – 4

I thought he would line up with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and others but Potter clearly feels he has something to offer by throwing him back into the starting XI.

However, he bid very little and hit his weak-footed shot completely wrong…it could have even landed outside the Parc des Princes.

Kai Havertz – 4

It came closest to breaking the block when Ziyech executed an excellent pass, but the German praised compatriot Bernd Leno – and then saw the ball bounce off the post as the defenders raced back.

Cut an isolated and lonely figure at times – but even when he got the ball, he didn’t do much with it.

Mykhailo Mudryk – 3

Looked bright from the first whistle as he used his electric pace to slam the ball into the Fulham defense with fear.

But in reality, Mudryk was never really in the game as he struggled to get a touch or manage a successful take-on and was substituted off at half-time with no obvious signs of injury.

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SUBS

Noni Madueke (for Mudryk, HT) – 8th

He made his debut and immediately took the lead with an exciting drive – fans will hope this bodes well for the future.

Would have headed in at the back post in front of more good Tete defense and was a constant threat, demanding the ball and taking possession. Impressive.

Cesar Azpilicueta (for James, 60 mins) – 5th

Came to his 501st Chelsea appearance in what looked like a pre-planned change.

Raheem Sterling (for Ziyech, 60 mins) – 5

With the arrival of all the new attackers in January I had a point to prove but only beat a simple pass to Mount which would have been in it.

David Fofana (for Mount, 75 mins) – 7th

His introduction up front dropped Havertz deeper and almost made the perfect start as he took the ball around Leno, sliced ​​inside but then couldn’t find a way past Ream, who made a good block.

Ben Chilwell (for Cucurella, 84 mins) – 5

A welcome return for the £50m left-back whose Chelsea career has been marred by injuries.

A big upgrade for Cucurella and the perfect pick-me-up for James on the other hand.

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