Chelsea player ratings: Geovany Quenda impresses in eagerly-anticipated debut as Tosin Adarabioyo struggles

CHELSEA were bashed over the head by the Old Lady in Hong Kong, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Juventus in their pre-season tour. Edon Zhegrova was the difference maker with a sublime strike from the edge of the box, which beat Mike Penders to find the top left corner. Edon Zhegrova’s stunner was the difference in Hong Kong Credit: Getty While Mudryk made his Chelsea return in the 1-0 defeat Credit: Getty It was a chance for Xabi Alonso to get a look at some more new players, including the likes of Geovany Quenda, Mike Penders and Danny Welbeck among others. One of which was the returning Mykhailo Mudryk, who hasn’t played since his suspension from football in November 2024. Sign up for the Chelsea newsletter Thank you! The result will be a slight cause for concern, though, as the Blues suffered a second successive defeat before playing AC Milan next on Saturday. That will be following a nearly five-hour flight to Jakarta in Indonesia. This is how SunSport Chelsea reporter Lloyd Canfield rated the players… ROBERT SANCHEZ – 6 This was Robert Sanchez’s first match under Xabi Alonso, and it was pretty much what we have become accustomed to from watching him for the past few seasons. Some really solid stops were met by some equally hairy moments between the sticks, with one save to deny Boga before half-time a highlight. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS MARCO PALESTRA – 7 Juventus were ‘in love’ with Marco Palestra before he moved to Chelsea, and it’s easy to see why. Most read in Sport He runs like he’s powered by nitrous oxide down the right-hand side and looks a real creative threat for the Blues. Defending isn’t necessarily his strong point, but he stood up well against former Chelsea boy Jeremie Boga. Palestra impressed for the Blues Credit: Getty WESLEY FOFANA – 5 Some really strong challenges at the back were a reminder of why the Frenchman was once such a highly rated defender. But his passing out from the back was dismal, and he seemed to create more fires than he was putting out, a reminder of why many Chelsea fans want him gone from Stamford Bridge this summer. TOSIN ADARABIOYO – 4 A poor clearance gave Juventus a half-chance within the opening six minutes, and his ball-playing from the back in general was sub-par. Not massively challenged by the Old Lady, but they were more of a threat then the absence of Levi Colwill would’ve been more noticeable. JORREL HATO – 5 Took up a more defensive role than Palestra on the opposite side, which perhaps explained why the Blues’ left side looked weaker than the right. He looked heavy in this game in terms of his reactions, and suffered a few communication issues with Sanchez in goal at times. But his tackling was decent and he looked fairly comfortable in possession, which you would expect from an Ajax academy graduate. MOISES CAICEDO (C) – 6 Chelsea’s captain for the day broke up play brilliantly and distributed the ball nicely too – a credit to him after rocking up to pre-season just a few days ago to instantly look his usual self. Caicedo looked his usual self Credit: Getty MAHDI NICOLL-JAZULI – 6 The highly-rated Cobham gem is a Xabi Alonso favourite and was trusted with a start here. The 16-year-old didn’t look out of place one bit, which is perhaps the biggest testament to his ability, starring alongside Moises Caicedo in the middle of the park. GEOVANY QUENDA – 7 A first glimpse of Geovany Quenda for most Chelsea fans should leave them very impressed, he looked really lively. Excellent in terms of his decision making when it mattered, and his link-up with Palestra could be a real danger for Prem rivals this season – he just couldn’t quite find that end product when needed. Quenda gave Chelsea fans something to be excited about Credit: Getty JOAO PEDRO – 4 Looked far more comfortable playing as the number nine than dropping into an attacking midfield position, which he seemed to be doing more so than Danny Welbeck in the first half. Is such a quality player that he is held to a higher standard than his attacking cohort, and ultimately didn’t deliver on that today. DANNY WELBECK – 5 The elder statesman held up the ball well up front, but wasn’t as involved as he would’ve liked to be going forwards, with some of his passing leaving a bit to be desired. JAMIE GITTENS – 6 Has been a real threat for Chelsea throughout pre-season, and was so again today. Looks much more like the player the Blues spent so much money on to lure him away from Borussia Dortmund. Quick feet, a willingness to take on his man, and plenty of excitement on the left. Gittens was exciting in patches for the Blues Credit: Alamy SUBS: NICOLAS JACKSON (DANNY WELBECK, HT) – 4 Impressed on his return to action for the Blues with some good hold-up play and showcasing some of his dribbling ability, before being hacked down by Douglas Luiz. Hooked off for Mudryk after 36 minutes. ESTEVAO (GEOVANY QUENDA, HT) – 6 A bright spark in a fairly dull Chelsea attack after half-time, but couldn’t seem to find the final pass when needed. MIKE PENDERS (ROBERT SANCHEZ, HT) – 5 Not a lot he could do about an incredible strike from Eden Zhregova, and was hardly tested aside from that. His passing out from the back was better than Sanchez, though his long balls lacked a little accuracy. Penders was at full stretch for Zhegrova’s stunner Credit: AP MAMADOU SARR (TOSIN ADARABIOYO, HT) – 5 Stood up and was counted at the back with several tackles after coming on, and was another who couldn’t do much about the goal. DASTAN SATPAYEV (JOAO PEDRO, 66) – 5 Showed some decent movement on the ball and hit a left footed effort on target late on, though it was easily saved by the keeper. TAYO SUBOLOYE (WESLEY FOFANA, 66) – 6 The youngster looked comfortable at the back for the Blues, but didn’t see an awful lot of the ball. Stood up well to the talented Kenan Yildiz when asked to stop him. DARIO ESSUGO (MOISES CAICEDO, 66) – 5 Took the captains armband from Moises Caicedo when he came on, but was one player who perhaps should’ve been a little more alert to close down Zhegrova for the Juve opener. Dario Essugo took the captain’s armband from Moises Caicedo Credit: Reuters LIAM DELAP (JAMIE GITTENS, 66) – 5 Almost set up Satpayev for a Chelsea leveller, but really should be more commanding in a game like this. He was certainly tenacious, but far from wonderful on the ball. AARON ANSELMINO (JORREL HATO, 66) – 5 Not overly tested by Zhegrova aside from the goal. He and Josh Acheampong may both be wishing for some more trust to be put in them at centre-back rather than out wide. ROMEO LAVIA (MAHDI NICOLL-JAZULI, 66) – 5 Lunged into tackles well for the most part, but the game seemed to pass him by a little at times. JOSH ACHEAMPONG (MARCO PALESTRA, 66) – 5 Not as much of an attacking threat as Palestra whom he replaced, but was fairly solid at the back with some good tackles and passing going forwards. MYKHAILO MUDRYK (NICOLAS JACKSON, 81) – 6 Came on to a heroes welcome in Hong Kong, and showed some exciting glimpses of his talent in very limited minutes. A cross from the byline was saved by the Juventus stopper, with some flashes of his electric pace still evident. Comment now