Chelsea duo named in Team of the Week after Tottenham Hotspur draw

Chelsea duo Reece James and Kalidou Koulibaly have been named in WhoScored’s Team of the Week after their performances against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.

The Blues drew 2-2 with Spurs at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening, despite the hosts going ahead twice in the match.

Koulibaly opened the scoring to net his first goal for Chelsea since his move from Napoli in the summer, with James adding their second late on in the second half.

Thomas Tuchel’s side currently sit seventh in the Premier League table having gained four points from their opening two games.

They will feel as though the result on Sunday is probably less than they deserved after such an impressive performance at home.

However, two of their players have been recognised for their efforts against the north London outfit.

WhoScored have released their Premier League Team of the Week for the weekend just gone, and both James and Koulibaly have been included.

Despite Chelsea conceding twice, the defenders put in a shift for the backline against their rivals, and their respective goals also helped contribute to the team’s efforts.

It was an exciting and feisty encounter in west London, but one of the big talking points from the match is the refereeing decisions made by Anthony Taylor.

Kai Havertz appeared to be fouled in the buildup to Spurs’ first goal of the evening, with Marc Cucurella having his hair pulled back seconds before the visitors’ late equaliser.

As a result, boss Tuchel was critical of the referee’s performance after the game, telling Chelsea TV: "The referee had a huge say and unfortunately everything went in the opposite direction so, both goals should never, never stand, never for me. 

“It’s incredible and unbelievable how this can happen in the times we are in.

 

"The first goal is offside, not to speak about the foul on Kai in the possession build-up towards the goal. But the goal itself is a clear, clear, clear offside from Richarlison.

"The second one, in the build-up, is an absolutely fair challenge from Reece on Harry Kane, they get a very, very dangerous position for a free-kick and from that they get the corners.

“Then when is it allowed to pull hair of opponents? If this is not a red card, if we check and the player can stay and can take the decisive corner, I’m sorry this is without words."

While Chelsea continue their start to the season on the pitch, there is still work being done off it in terms of transfers.

Cesare Casadei is set to become their next addition of the summer after the Blues were able to agree a fee with Inter Milan.

The midfielder will now join Raheem Sterling, Koulibaly, Cucurella, Carney Chukwuemeka and Gabriel Slonina as part of Chelsea’s summer signings.