Chelsea v Benfica player ratings - Robert Sanchez stands tall, Enzo Fernandez silences jeers on Jose Mourinho return to Stamford Bridge
AFNEWS reporter
Oct 01, 2025
Chelsea v Benfica player ratings - Robert Sanchez stands tall, Enzo Fernandez silences jeers on Jose Mourinho return to Stamford Bridge
For all the pre-match intrigue around Jose Mourinho's Stamford Bridge return, the game itself unravelled in far less dramatic fashion. Chelsea weren't slick, Benfica weren't ruthless, and yet the outcome felt inevitable - Mourinho trudging down the tunnel with another defeat on his old patch. Here are the player ratings from an absorbing UEFA Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.
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Jose Mourinho's miserable record as an away manager at Stamford Bridge continued as his new Benfica side lost 1-0 to Chelsea on Tuesday night.
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Richard's own goal, sparked by Alejandro Garnacho firing Pedro Neto's cross back into the mixer, proved the difference as a much-changed Blues side ran out winners in the UEFA Champions League.
Here are the player ratings from Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea player ratings
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Robert Sanchez - 7 - What a difference one good game in the FIFA Club World Cup final makes. The Spaniard was arguably Chelsea's best player, making a smart stop in the first half onto his near post, then one-upping himself with a brilliant save early in the second period.
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Malo Gusto - 6 - Was a little erratic with the ball, and was occasionally troubled by Heorhiy Sudakov, but overall he was reasonably solid - no small feat, given the lack of protection in front of him.
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Trevoh Chalobah - 6 - Grew into the game after a nervy start, but was very much second best in his centre-back partnership.
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Benoit Badiashile - 7 - Decent performance. Seems to have all the attributes to be a brilliant centre-back.
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Marc Cucurella - 6 - Has such chaotic energy. He was a useful outlet going forward, particularly in the first half, but he was also found out defensively on a couple of occasions. Like Gusto, needed a bit more help.
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Pedro Neto - 7 - Was involved in the opening goal and looked dangerous cutting in from the right flank. But showed limited enthusiasm in putting in a shift inside his own half.
Moises Caicedo - 7 - A really impressive performance, even if it took him until the second half to realise his full-backs needed semi-permanent protection. Pretty handy on the ball too.
Facundo Buonanotte - 6 - A nuisance in the middle of the park, but not as impressive as Caicedo or Fernandez alongside him.
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Enzo Fernandez - 7 - Got sat down by Richard in the first half, which seemed to spark him into life. Was a big presence in the Chelsea midfield, even as he copped plenty of flack from the Benfica fans.
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Alejandro Garnacho - 6 - Was properly up for this. It was his cut-back that caused Richard to fire into his own net for the only goal of the game. But he faded as a force as the match wore on, ballooning a familiar shot over the bar shortly before being hooked on the hour.
Tyrique George - 5 - Found it tough out there. Lost in an unfamiliar role.
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Subs
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Estevao - 6 - Got an enormous reception when he was introduced, and got the crowd excited with one jinking run, only to spark groans when his pass found a red shirt. Still, looks an exciting prospect for sure.
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Joao Pedro - 4 - His biggest contribution was delaying the restart for at least a minute after being sent off for two yellows.
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Jamie Gittens - 5 - Tough to make an impression as an attacker with limited minutes. But when he had a big opening, he held onto the ball when he should have passed.
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Reece James - 6 - Made a crucial sliding block after being introduced late on.
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Josh Acheampong - N/A
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— AFNEWS reporter