Chelsea ratings: Reece James should guarantee England and Thiago Silva still has it in an easy Blues win

CHELSEA recorded their first Champions League win of the season with a comfortable 3-0 win against AC Milan.

The Italian champions were made to look smashing, thanks mainly to the sheer brilliance of Reece James.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his second goal in two games

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his second goal in two gamesCredit: Getty
Reece James scored and assisted as the Blues scored their first Champions League win of the season

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Reece James scored and assisted as the Blues scored their first Champions League win of the seasonCredit: Getty

James provided an assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyangand scored himself after Wesley Fofana opened the scoring in the first half.

He also shone on defense, so much so the dangerous Rafael Leao, who… Chelsea wants to signwas hooked with 20 minutes left to play.

Thiago Silva posted another confident display at the back, not shying away from the physical battle with Olivier Giroud.

It was the best performance of the Graham Potter regime so far, and anything other than three points would have made qualifying for the knockouts an arduous task.

This is how Giacomo Pisa of SunSport judged the Blues…

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Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6

Has performed well after getting his chance between the sticks.

Was narrowly called into action by the Italian champions, but came alive to reject Charles De Ketelaere in the closing stages of the first half.

Impressive with his feet, knowing when to go short and when to play long and clear his lines.

Wesley Fofana – 6

Less confident than his two team-mates as centre-back in the early stages, but understandable given his lack of experience in the league.

In the right place at the right time to open the score, pushing the ball home after a scramble for his first Chelsea goal.

Too bad he had to be sidelined with an injury before half time, just as he was starting to settle after his goal.

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Thiago Silva – 8

Did well for Marshal Giroud, who tried to physically force himself on the Chelsea skipper but couldn’t get a sniff.

It always seemed a danger of set pieces, with Fofana opening the score after the Brazilian had originally saved an attempt.

Thiago Silva shone in the back again

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Thiago Silva shone in the back againCredit: Reuters

Kalidou Koulibaly – 7

Came back to the side after being dropped for Potter’s first two games in charge.

He repaid his boss’s confidence with an impressive display and stood out with his accurate passing through the feet of the midfielders and forwards, which kick-started a number of attacks.

Reece James – 9

Different class in defense and attack, who did brilliantly to keep the dangerous Leao quiet and almost completely blocked Milan from playing on the left.

Ahead, he was again excellent, providing the assist for the second goal with a lovely ball into the penalty area.

Came into action just after the hour itself, skillfully firing into the roof of the net to put the game to bed.

James was great for the Blues in defense and offense

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James was great for the Blues in defense and offenseCredit: Getty

Ben Chilwell – 6

The best part of the evening for the England left-back was his set-piece delivery, which helped set up the first goal.

Looked a little rushed on the ball at times, and AC Milan’s possession meant he couldn’t loot forward as much as he’d have liked.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 7

Energetic in the middle, looking forward as he picked up the ball.

Was rewarded for his positive performance by getting the whole 90 minutes while Mateo Kovavic was hooked with 25 minutes to play.

Matthew Kovacic – 6

With Loftus-Cheek looting forward, Kovavic broke up the game more and the Croatian midfielder did well.

Deservedly booked for a very late challenge on Olivier Giroud in the first half.

Maybe why Potter didn’t take a chance and took him out after the break.

Mason Mount – 6

His work rate can’t be questioned, but it just didn’t quite happen for Mount again.

At times he looked dangerous on the half turn, and a brilliant lobed finish was disallowed for offside, but the England man didn’t make a difference tonight.

Raheem Sterling – 7

Made some dangerous runs behind Fode Ballo-Toure, and also got spanked by his man with the ball at his feet.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 7

Always looking to play the ball first time which did a lot to accelerate Chelsea’s attacks.

Showed his striker’s instinct to finish from close range after James picked him perfectly.

deputies

Trevoh Chalobah (on for Fofana, 38 min) – 7

The 23-year-old coped well with Leao’s threat on the Milan left wing, as he was thrown into action before half-time.

Conor Gallagher (on for Aubameyang, 65 min) – 7

Put himself on the line when he came in and backed up his winner of the weekend with a brisk 25 minutes.

Will be knocking on a starting place door again with more cameos like this.

Jorginho – (on for Kovacic, 65 min) – 6

Controlled the pace when he came in for Mateo Kovacic.

Armando Broja (on for Sterling, 74 min) – 5

Gave the AC Milan defenders something else to think about with his physique when he came in.

But the time meant he was prevented from doing anything meaningful.

Kai Havertz (on for Mount, 74 minutes) – 5

By the time the German forward had settled into the match, the final whistle had sounded.