Champions League

EDOUARD MENDY was one of the first players to run up and jump on Chelsea’s penalty shootout hero, Kepa Arrizabalaga. That was despite the goalkeeper, who started the game, being replaced by Spaniard Kepa just before penalties in the Super Cup against Villarreal.
Edouard Mendy came off for KepaCredit: Getty
It was perhaps no surprise at all for Chelsea fans to see Mendy – after being taken off purely for Kepa to come on – be the first to congratulate and celebrate with Kepa.
It is a real testament to mentality and team spirit that this squad have; they are in this together and they are all playing their part.
Kepa saved two penalties in the shootout to see Chelsea win the cup final, their second European trophy in a row, and this saw him become an unexpected hero on the night.
Chelsea weren’t amazing tonight by any stretch of the word, they were quite lucky to actually see it though to penalties.
They looked rusty and at times not at the races. However, they never lost their character, they never lost that spirit.
Thomas Tuchel was treating the team talk before the penalties began just like it was the Champions League final once again.
The players were motivating each other during the shootout just like it was an FA Cup final.
THIS is team spirit and squad morale, and THIS is what Chelsea showed once again that they have under Tuchel.
“Kepa with the save! Kepa the Chelsea hero!”Thomas Tuchel’s goalkeeping substitution pays off as his second-choice comes up huge in the penalty shootout 🧤#SuperCup pic.twitter.com/cM2hgzYtKd— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 11, 2021

If nothing else tonight, they proved motivated enough to win the game and help build motivation ahead of another Premier League season.
Winning matches and winning trophies goes a long way to keep morale high in the squad, and as does using as many players as you can, like Tuchel has done.
It was genius bringing Kepa on.
Not just because he is an expert at saving penalties, but bringing him on, telling him that you need him to go out there and win you the match, will do wonders for Kepa’s confidence.
And, he would have gone out there with the belief that he can win this for Chelsea because the coach told him he can.
It will do wonders for him going into the season, a season where Chelsea are going to really need him in the absence of Mendy when he goes off to the African Cup of Nations for a few weeks.
As I said, Chelsea were not great tonight, but they did the job and they did what was needed, they won the trophy.
This will go a long way come Saturday having that winning momentum and confidence.
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Tuchel is building something special here at Chelsea and you can just feel it in the air at Stamford Bridge.
Victories like this, despite it still being pre-season with many rusty players, go along way over the course of the season.
It proves they can battle and fight and squeeze out a victory, but most importantly, it proves that this squad of players have a real togetherness about them and a hunger for success and trophies.
Chelsea players celebrate with shootout hero KepaCredit: AFP
Chelsea lift the Super Cup after beating Villarreal on penalties More

GOALKEEPER Kepa Arrizabalaga turned shootout hero after winning the Super Cup on penalties. The Spaniard was brought on for Edouard Mendy just before spot-kicks – two years after infamously refusing to come off himself.
Kepa Arrizabalaga won Chelsea the Super Cup on penaltiesCredit: Getty
But it proved an inspired sub as he saved two kicks on the way to winning the trophy after a tense shootout.
Here is how Simon Phillips rated Chelsea’s performers.
Edouard Mendy – 7
He was called upon on a few occasions despite playing against a low-block team, and he made some good saves to keep Chelsea in the game when he was needed.
Despite his save, his distribution was dodgy in the second half and he was VERY lucky not to concede from one of them and did well to save the shot.
Trevoh Chalobah – 9
He certainly doesn’t look out of place at all out there and was very comfortable on the ball and good defensively.
Used his body very well and made some great last-ditch tackles and blocks in the second half. Great performance from the youngster. 
Trevoh Chalobah shined at centre-backCredit: Pacemaker
Kurt Zouma – 7
Used his experience well in the centre of a middle three and was calm and solid when called upon.
He was much busier in the second half when Villarreal came at Chelsea more. 
Antonio Rudiger – 7
Very harshly booked in the first half for a superb tackle, and had a solid game at the back as the team got busier defensively, and his bursts forward with the ball are very effective.
Scored a penalty in the shootout.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6
There were a few occasions where you wanted to see him try and do more to beat his man or get to the by-line.
Other than that his pace and work rate was a constant threat for Villarreal and he got a lot of the ball down the right.
Callum Hudson-Odoi started at wingbackCredit: Reuters
N’Golo Kante – 9
The selected captain of the night took his role seriously and he bossed the midfield for Chelsea once again.
Given a well-deserved rest midway through the second half.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
He was pinging some beautiful long range passes around and as always, he was excellent on the ball most of the time.
He did provide a couple of frustrating moments though when he missed a through ball or gave the ball away in a dangerous area. Also guilty of not tracking the runners on occasions. 
Marcos Alonso – 8
It was another good comfortable showing from the Spaniard, and he also could have and maybe should have got on the scoresheet.
Always looks much better in a more advanced role. He was really Chelsea’s best attacker on the night and also scored his penalty in the shootout! 

Goal scorer Hakim Ziyech came off injuredCredit: AFP
Hakim Ziyech – 8
He took his finish well inside the box and cannot stop scoring in pre-season right now.
Gutted to see him get taken off with a shoulder injury at the end of the first half.
Timo Werner – 6
He is always much more effective against teams who press and push high so he can exploit them on the counter-attack, not against low-blocks.
Having said that it certainly wasn’t a poor display from Werner and he was actually unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
Kai Havertz – 7
Another majestic performance from him without really getting out of third gear.
Nice on the ball and used it well. Great pass to setup Ziyech for the opening goal. Missed his penalty in the shootout, poor pen.
SUBS
Christian Pulisic replaced Hakim ZiyechCredit: Getty
Christian Pulisic for Ziyech (42 mins) – 5
Wasn’t overly lively when he came on, grew into the game a bit, but nowhere near enough for Chelsea’s liking. Scored his pen in the shootout though!
Mason Mount for Werner (64 mins) – 7
Took a while to get involved but he soon started to get involved a bit more as it went on. Scored a very composed penalty in the shootout.
Jorginho for Kante (64 mins) – 6
Looked rusty when he came on and gave the ball away poorly which led to the Villarreal equaliser. Scored his penalty in the shootout. 
Jorginho looked rusty when he came onCredit: AP
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Andreas Christensen for Zouma (64 mins) – 6
Also looked a bit rusty and could have done more for their equaliser. 
Cesar Azpilicueta for Hudson-Odoi (81 mins) – 6
Tried hard as always but made little difference really. Scored his penalty in the shootout.
Kepa Arrizabalaga for Mendy (119 mins) – 10
Bought on for penalties and saved two to see Chelsea win the Super Cup!
Kepa was the Super Cup shootout heroCredit: Getty
Chelsea lift the Super Cup after beating Villarreal on penalties More