Chelsea player ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Moises Caicedo costs the Blues AGAIN – but Nicolas Jackson should have saved their blushes

Forest secured a shock 1-0 win as the £115 million ($145m) man’s second error in three games was brutally punished – but Jackson was equally at fault.

If Chelsea’s owners thought throwing £450 million ($566m) at their broken squad this summer would make for a quick fix, they were sorely mistaken. The limitations of Mauricio Pochettino’s new-look side were exposed for a second time in four games on Saturday, as another error from £115 million ($145m) signing Moises Caicedo led to an unlikely 1-0 victory for Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo stumbled and gave the ball away early in the second half, with former Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga taking full advantage as he ran through and rolled the ball coolly into the bottom corner.

According to GOAL, Chelsea finally mustered a clear opportunity to salvage a point in the dying embers of the game when Raheem Sterling got to the byline, but Nicolas Jackson somehow conspired to prod his pull-back over the bar from just four yards out.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Robert Sanchez (4/10):

Seemed to dive in slow motion as Elanga rolled the ball beyond him. Otherwise only had to make one save at his near post.

Axel Disasi (6/10):

Dominated his aerial duels and was relatively unbothered as his centre-back colleagues were faced with most of the threat that Forest posed.

Thiago Silva (5/10):

Tested by Taiwo Awoniyi, who nutmegged him with the assist for the opener. Not at his commanding best, but almost blasted in a late leveller.

Levi Colwill (6/10):

Continued his strong start in most facets of the game but crucially didn’t have the recovery pace to track Elanga’s run for the goal.

Midfield

Malo Gusto (6/10):

Always sought to venture forward but perhaps too often put the brakes on or misplaced his pass. Has the ability to do more.
Moises Caicedo (5/10):

Clearly keen to make an impression after his false start at West Ham, biting into tackles. However, his giveaway was brutally punished as he found himself at fault for a goal for the second time in three games.

Conor Gallagher (5/10):

Typically industrious but was guilty of overplaying and giving the ball away. Went close with a long-range effort before being sacrificed for a more offensive replacement.

Enzo Fernandez (6/10):

Such a consistent performer but was unable to influence the scoreline this time. Dropped deeper and played the role of the metronome in the second period.

Ben Chilwell (5/10):

Couldn’t connect with the ball when presented with a gilt-edged chance in the penalty area. Camped in the Forest half but his end product was lacking.

Attack

Raheem Sterling (6/10):

Didn’t hit the heights of his recent performances, but he was still among Chelsea’s most creative and dangerous players and should have had an assist for Jackson.

Nicolas Jackson (4/10):

Fed off half-chances but wasn’t quite sharp enough to snaffle them up. When Sterling finally created a clear goal-scoring opportunity for him with seven minutes to go, he skied it from four yards out. He simply had to score.

Subs & Manager

Cole Palmer (7/10):

Made a tangible difference and looks capable of becoming a serious threat between the lines as a starter.

Noni Madueke (6/10):

Saw plenty of the ball but was unable to shake off his marker with his usual explosiveness.

Mykhailo Mudryk (4/10):

Not enough of an impact off the bench yet again. It’s becoming a growing trend for a player who really needs to seize his opportunities.

Ian Maatsen (5/10):

Introduced as a more attacking full-back but was unable to engineer anything of note down the left flank.

Mauricio Pochettino (4/10):

It was a somewhat puzzling team selection and Chelsea lacked creativity before Palmer’s introduction. With the transfer window now shut, the Argentine tactician must be considering changing the shape to play to his and the team’s strengths. Two defeats in four games means he is already up against it