THE WORLD CHAMPIONS had an utterly disappointing season.
They finished 10th in the Premier League, got rid of two managers, exited the earlier than they would’ve hoped, and lost another cup final at Wembley.
There were high hopes for the Blues after winning the Club World Cup Credit: Getty
But they disappointed fans and finished 10th Credit: Reuters
So it’s fair to say their seasonal player ratings are pretty… Below par.
A few players had campaigns to be proud of, but plenty disappointed more often than not.
, and most players have dropped off significantly between then and now.
So, we got to spend a roasting Wednesday afternoon rating every single player (and manager) who represented the club this season again, five months later…
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 5
When I did this same article mid-season,
He had a very good start to the season and looked to be solid as ‘s number one until he messed up against and seemed to revert to Sanchez of old after that, being dropped for the Champions League clash vs PSG.
It was a who therefore lands at a five.
FILIP JORGENSEN – 3
Was given his chance under and failed to take it with several poor performances, including a disaster class against PSG.
MALO GUSTO – 4
Was one of many players who looked to have a future at Chelsea under , a prospect now being called into question.
He tended to be good for CFC in big games, but had a poor second half of the season and is someone many Chelsea fans want gone before the next campaign begins under .
Malo Gusto had a good start to the season, but dropped off Credit: Getty
REECE JAMES – 7
It was definitely a solid season for the captain.
Always performed well, whether he was in midfield or at right-back, under various managers and always gives his all for the Chelsea badge.
, but definitely one of the Blues’ better performers, and should play a big role under Xabi Alonso after signing a new deal.
Reece James was one of few who lived up to expectations Credit: PA
JOSH ACHEAMPONG – 4
Many fans will feel he should’ve been trusted more after he played brilliantly away from home against earlier in the season when was subsequently sacked.
However, in the few chances he was given in the second half of the season, he seemed to struggle a little and might benefit from a decent-level loan next season.
WESLEY FOFANA – 1
Horror season.
Not someone Chelsea can depend on at the back, and made various mistakes, crucially being sent off at two vital points in Chelsea’s season.
Wesley Fofana had a season to forget Credit: Getty
TREVOH CHALOBAH – 6
It was a
He played more minutes than any other Chelsea centre-half and had some really bright moments, but they were unfortunately matched by plenty of poor moments too.
I would argue that the good and the bad equate fairly similarly, but Chelsea would have been worse without him, and he was at least available more often than not.
MAMADOU SARR – 4
Had a great start to the season with Strasbourg, before being recalled.
Some will argue he is a champion of Africa, although that was officially reversed.
He was hardly used by Liam Rosenior and Calum McFarlane and should’ve just stayed in France – not his fault.
TOSIN ADARABIOYO – 1
The bad outweighed the little good.
Had several disappointing moments this campaign, which led to his eventual complete lack of use by Maresca after defeat to Leeds.
Rosenior and McFarlane hardly used him either, but when he did play he never looked overly competent.
Tosin Adarabioyo was disappointing despite being an experienced head Credit: Alamy
BENOIT BADIASHILE – 2
Limited in terms of his minutes, but he has also been less than inspiring when he has played.
Looks good on the ball, but makes too many mistakes at the back, and couldn’t be relied upon this season.
LEVI COLWILL – 6
Missed almost the whole season with injury, and was still better than most.
Was great to see him back, and Chelsea looked a much-improved team with him present.
MARC CUCURELLA – 6
Another who had an excellent start to the campaign, which petered out in the second half of the season.
, as supposedly one of the best left-backs in the world alongside .
He hasn’t been terrible, but was an 8/10 in my mid-season rankings and has to be docked a few points for his performances since then.
Cucurella’s level dropped midway through the season Credit: Getty
JORREL HATO – 6
Finally,
after Maresca was sacked, but the appointment of Rosenior was a real turning point for him.
The 20-year-old looks largely comfortable at the back, despite his age, whether he is on the left or in the centre of defence, and can look forward to playing a big part for the Blues next season.
DARIO ESSUGO – 3
Another who was largely absent this season due to injury.
Played reasonably well in his limited minutes, but was far from a difference maker for Chelsea and he failed to provide adequate cover for those who were overworked in midfield.
MOISES CAICEDO – 7
When I wrote my mid-season edition of this, Caicedo looked the obvious choice to be Chelsea’s Player of the Season.
The fact he didn’t win the award shows a slight drop-off in performances, but I think he is a little taken for granted by Chelsea fans now.
A top, top player who had a very good season overall, and one that can really kick on next season and get himself back in the ‘best in the world’ conversations.
Moises Caicedo was one of Chelsea’s top performers Credit: EPA
ROMEO LAVIA – 3
Could pretty much copy and paste what I said about Essugo in here.
Injured too often, and when he did play, he didn’t look entirely like the difference maker we know he can be for the Blues.
A really top talent when he is fit and raring to go, but those days are too few and far between to justify it being an above-average season.
ANDREY SANTOS – 4
Wasn’t at the level that Chelsea fans were hoping, despite a few good performances against and more recently against Spurs at .
Has shown in flashes why he is rated so highly, but hasn’t been good enough consistently, a fairly average season that needs improving upon in the next campaign.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 8
The runner-up for Chelsea’s Player of the Season award.
Fernandez consistently stepped up when Chelsea needed him, and more often than not would give you a very strong showing with plenty of goals and assists.
, but it was a strong campaign from the Argentine vice-captain.
Fernandez stepped up his contributions this season Credit: PA
PEDRO NETO – 5
He was the most productive of Chelsea’s wing options, which says a lot.
Had some great moments in the first half of the season,
Always worked hard up and down the wing, but you would expect better from a £50million winger.
Too often failed to beat his man, and didn’t get good enough output in terms of goals and assists.
ESTEVAO – 6
Provided fans with plenty of joy when he was on the pitch, with his goal against Barcelona in the Champions League and his winner against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge being the highlights.
He adapted well to the Premier League over the course of the season physically, but probably should’ve played more, whether that be down to team selection or injury.
Could explode next season under Xabi Alonso.
Estevao outshone Lamine Yamal when the pair met in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge Credit: Getty
COLE PALMER – 2
Context is required here with Palmer, because we are talking about one of the best 10 players on the planet when he is fit and firing.
Unfortunately, he played massively below expectations this season.
He racked up 10 Premier League goals and got one assist, but six of those goals were penalties, and he was far off the player everyone knows he can be.
His touch looked off the pace far too often; he seems to have forgotten how to beat his man, and while injury hampered his ability to shoot from range, when he did shoot, it often seemed limp, high, or wide.
with Chelsea in need of getting him back to his best.
Cole Palmer had a really poor season by his standards Credit: Getty
FACUNDO BUONANOTTE – 2
Buonanotte playing for Chelsea feels like a fever dream.
Decent when he did play, but left in January and wasn’t great for Leeds either.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 2
Garnacho will be one of the first to tell you he didn’t live up to expectations, but there would be a LONG queue of Chelsea fans behind him who want to tell you the same thing.
Nowhere near the level he would’ve hoped, and his few decent performances were massively outweighed by a myriad of poor showings where he would frustrate with his end product and lack of defensive workrate.
Fans want Garnacho out of the door this summer Credit: Reuters
JAMIE GITTENS – 2
Hardly available due to injury, but it was a similar story to Garnacho when he did play.
Could still be a real gem with some positive flashes, but needs to play consistently.
TYRIQUE GEORGE – 3
Three goals and one assist in 11 games this season for the Blues was not a bad return for a young player who was rarely used and at times used out of his favoured position.
Deserved more opportunities, but instead looks likely to be sold in for ‘pure profit’ after a decent loan spell with .
JESSE DERRY – 7
Again, context is needed.
I’m not saying Jesse Derry is better than Palmer, but by his own standards, he had a better season.
Was instrumental in the under-21’s winning the PL2 title, forming a great relationship with Shim Mheuka, and was rewarded with some first-team minutes in which he looked like a really bright talent,
Jesse Derry had a great season for the u21s and was rewarded with first-team minutes Credit: Alamy
RYAN KAVUMA-MCQUEEN – 6
One of the most exciting players in the Cobham academy setup, Kavuma-McQueen, played very limited first-team minutes.
He wasn’t quite as impactful as Derry, and maybe should’ve been given more of a chance, but was excellent for the youth team and looks like the biggest star of the future that Chelsea have got.
JOAO PEDRO – 9
Chelsea’s Player of the Season. 15 goals and five assists without taking penalties.
He was, without a doubt, the standout performer, who delivered a range of brilliant goals in all competitions, always worked hard, and brought other players into games too.
while he also scored a sensational bicycle kick this season, and scored a hat-trick away at Villa Park.
Had the occasional poor performance, but was overall very consistent, and the Blues absolutely cannot let him leave this summer.
Joao Pedro was Chelsea’s Player of the Season Credit: Getty
LIAM DELAP – 1
A one rating for the one Premier League goal he scored this season.
So poor, and was close to getting a zero, as he looked more concerned with bullying defenders and being a brute than scoring any goals.
So far below expectations, and it would be utterly astounding if he is still at Chelsea next season.
MARC GUIU – 3
Hardly had a chance this season, but was fairly average when he did play.
Perhaps should’ve been given more opportunities, given the terrible form of .
SHIM MHEUKA – 8
Was named the PL2 Player of the Season after scoring heaps of goals for the under-21s and captaining them to a title win.
Absolutely should have had more opportunities with the first team this season, and most fans would’ve rather watched him do his best to score than .
A great season for the youngster, who is more than deserving of a loan move next season to develop further.
This is a substitution Chelsea fans wish they saw more of Credit: Reuters
ENZO MARESCA – 7
The former Chelsea manager’s reign will perhaps be glorified due to their failings after he left, and the success he will likely have in replacing at .
Last season’s successes were not continued into this one, though, with the delivery of the not buying him enough time to turn things around in his second season at Stamford Bridge after disagreements with the board.
He handled numerous situations quite well, such as the fitness of , several suspensions, and competing near the top of the table with such a young team, while missing two of his star players in and .
LIAM ROSENIOR – 1
Diabolical.
He was out of his depth as Chelsea manager, and a lot of people will blame him for what went wrong this season.
That being said, his record is better than the record since he left, with more wins than losses as Chelsea boss.
A massively disappointing appointment, and I wouldn’t expect too much backlash on this rating, even if it wasn’t entirely his fault.
CALUM MCFARLANE – 1
You could argue he did relatively well, given his experience and the situation he was thrown into.
He helped Chelsea get a draw against Man City and got the Blues to the FA Cup final, but his time as manager will probably always be looked at as a failure.
In the eight games he managed, Chelsea only won two, and he has a worse record than Rosenior, whom I gave a 2/10.
Will remain on Xabi Alonso’s staff for next season and provide a bridge between the academy and the first team.
Things went massively downhill for Chelsea when Enzo Maresca left Credit: Getty
Liam Rosenior took over, but the job was too big for him when he did so Credit: PA
Calum McFarlane had a tough task in charge of Chelsea, but had a terrible record in terms of results Credit: AFP
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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