CHELSEA were held to a 3-3 draw by Malaysian underdogs Johor Darul Ta’zim in a back-and-forth pre-season friendly on Jattvibeday.
Xabi Alonso fielded a second-string side at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, with the new boss casting his eye over a selection of youngsters.
Liam Delap was a rare bright spark for Chelsea in Malaysia Credit: Getty
Tosin Adarabioyo had another shaky pre-season outing Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
They went behind in the 14th minute but equalised before half-time when Liam Delap won and scored a penalty.
Delap notched from the spot again just after the hour mark but there was plenty more drama to come.
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Oscar Arribas equalised via a deflected free-kick and Bergson gave Johor a shock lead before Antonio Glauder’s late own goal levelled up the six-goal thriller.
Here is how JattvibeSport’s Dan King rated every Chelsea performance in Malaysia…
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Teddy Sharman-Lowe – 6
Left totally exposed by his defence on multiple occasions in the first half. Looked solid enough, apart from one poor clearance that could have led to a big chance. Substituted at half time to give Slonina a run-out.
Olutayo Subuloye – 5
A late replacement after Mamadou Sarr pulled out of the game just before kick off. Was shaky in the first half, like the whole Chelsea defence.
But did better after the break as he and fellow teenager Reggie Watson carried their more experienced team-mate in the back three.
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Tosin Adarabioyo – 3
His weaknesses, especially lack of pace, were regularly exposed by JDT and he was caught out even before playing his part in conceding the first goal.
But what was more shocking was his lack of leadership as the game became spiteful. He seemed more intent on starting or getting involved in rucks than setting a calm example to his young team-mates.
Aaron Anselmino – 5
The guy cannot catch a break. Given a rare chance to start, he pulled up after less than half an hour after appearing to hurt himself while attempting a sharp turn deep in the JDT half.
Geovany Quenda – 4
After his fine game as an out-and-out winger against Juventus, this was not an impressive display at right wing back.
He showed flashes of what he could do going forward, but it was down his side that JDT had a lot of their joy.
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli – 5
Not nearly as impressive as earlier in the tour. But he is still only 16 and did better than a lot of the older players in Alonso’s team.
Caught out a couple of times and Chelsea’s midfield was over-run at times. Yet has never looked out of place on this trip and has given the manager something to ponder.
Dario Essugo – 4
Was made captain, no less, on a rare start after his own injury problems since joining Chelsea.
But was outshone by two 16 year olds even before his poor touch gifted JDT what looked like being a late winner. His future at Stamford Bridge must be in massive doubt.
Jamie Gittens – 3
Not even earning Delap’s second penalty was enough to save him from a low mark.
To be absolutely fair, Gittens signed as a winger and has never claimed to be a wing back.
And he will surely never be asked to play there again after being caught out time after time in his defensive duties.
Estevao – 5
Started brightly but soon faded as Chelsea lost control of the game. Also showed a streak of petulance in earning a yellow card for retaliation after being denied a penalty.
Always had the potential to do something without ever finding a final ball.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
Put himself about from the start, having an early shot well saved, and kept going even when things weren’t going for him or his touch let him down.
Linked well with Delap at times, including one brilliant through ball. Showed he has plenty to offer but will he be happy with a back-up role?
Liam Delap – 8
Showed everything that is good and bad about his game. In one seven-minute period he won and scored a penalty, then got a stupid yellow card and missed a brilliant chance to make it 2-1.
Kept his cool to score from the spot again to put Chelsea ahead, unlucky to deflect in JDT’s equaliser but arguably a bit fortunate not to be booked for a second time.
Kept making runs all evening and his faint flicked header led to the equaliser.
Substitutes
Reggie Watson – 8
What a fantastic all-round footballer this kid is. A midfielder by trade, he barely put a foot wrong as a right-sided centre back.
Still only 16, he plays like a much more experienced player and showed up plenty of his team-mates. Needs first-team chances or a really good loan this season.
Gaga Slonina – 6
Did well to stop JDT going ahead early in the second half, although Shahab Zahedi should have done better. Nothing he could do about JDT’s equaliser but may feel he should have got something on Bergson’s shot that made it 3-2.
Dastan Satpayev – 6
Did not have time to make much of an impact. Already a Kazakh international, he should be sent on loan to a challenging environment to prove he has the chops to make it at Chelsea.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 7
You want substitutes to make an impact and the Ukrainian did just that. Delap should have got more on a fine cross, but Mudryk deserved the good fortune of it going in off Antonio Glauder.
