The 2019-20 Premier League season was in every aspect a largely successful one for Chelsea FC. The appointment of a new manager in club legend Frank Lampard preceded the season’s start. However, expectations were set at a low mark for the Blues considering that a transfer ban had been imposed on the West London outfit, besides the fact that the squad comprised of an inexperienced yet young bunch of players.
However, fast forward to today, three days after Chelsea FC clinched a 2-0 victory over Wolves, ensuring a top-four finish in Lampard’s first season in charge of the Blues. The result meant that the club would play Champions League football next season.
Many players have been standout stars in a stellar season for the club over the past year. Let us take a look at five of Chelsea FC’s best performers this season in the Premier League.
5. Tammy Abraham
The 22-year old Blues academy product was trusted by his coach to lead the attacking line for his boyhood side. And Abraham did not disappoint either Lampard, his teammates at Chelsea FC, or the club’s ardent supporters with a return of 15 goals in 34 league appearances, the highest among any other player at the club.
Such was the impact of the English international at Lampard that the Chelsea FC boss preferred to start the youngster over the much more experienced Olivier Giroud as the Blues’ first-choice striker.
Abraham did suffer from a barren run in front of goal during the second half of the season, however, regained his initial run of form during the latter stages of the Premier League campaign to end a very memorable season for himself on a positive note.
4. Christian Pulisic
It was the American’s first season at Stamford Bridge following his much-anticipated arrival from Borussia Dortmund. A £57.6 million signing for the Blues, the 21-year old Pulisic carried a lot of expectations on his young shoulders. In his initial days at the club, the winger was not really at his best form due to consecutive series of injury niggles.
However, Pulisic encountered a massive change in fortunes after regaining considerable match fitness. The attacker has been one of the standout performers among Frank Lampard’s men following the Project Restart. He finished the season with nine goals and six assists in only 25 league outings, with four goals and as many assists coming after the restart of the Premier League in mid-June.
3. Willian
The Brazilian attacker became one of the most experienced players in the youthful Chelsea FC squad following the departure of former club talisman Eden Hazard. Willian also took over the number ten jersey that became vacant after Hazard’s move to Real Madrid last summer.
The 31-year old has been a fairly consistent performer upfront on the pitch for the Blues this season. His set-piece ability along with his high work-rate has been of utmost importance to the West London based Premier League side over the course of the campaign.
With 11 goals to his name, Willian’s goalscoring return for Chelsea FC this season is bettered only by Tammy Abraham. However, the two-time Premier League winner did top the assists chart for the Blues with nine contributions.
2. Cesar Azpilicueta
The club captain’s defensive solidity at the back has been equally matched by his leadership qualities both on and off the pitch for the Blues. Azpilicueta has played all but two of Chelsea FC’s Premier League fixtures this season and clocked more minutes on the pitch than any other of his teammates.
The Spaniard’s versatility in defence is an added bonus for Frank Lampard’ side. The 30-year old is equally apt at playing as a centre-back, right-back, or a left-back. Moreover, the current season has seen new Chelsea FC boss Frank Lampard field Azpilicueta even as a wingback on a few occasions.
The Blues’ skipper’s performances this season has been second to none among the players at the club. Azpilicueta has proven himself to a commanding leader on the pitch, following in the footsteps of former Chelsea FC captains John Terry and Gary Cahill.
1. Mateo Kovacic
The Croatian international had spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Chelsea FC from Real Madrid, however, last summer his temporary stint at Stamford Bridge was made permanent by new manager Frank Lampard. And the 26-year old has stepped up his game this season to emerge as the club’s pivotal midfield presence in the absence of the often-injured N’Golo Kante.
Making 45 appearances across all competitions, Kovacic has scored once while registering three assists. However, his efforts in the centre of the park for the Blues have not gone unnoticed. The 26-year old has an incredible average pass success percentage of 89.7 in the Premier League, one of the highest among other central midfielders playing in England.
Kovacic has certainly proven his worth to the Blues after making his stay at Stamford Bridge permanent last summer. The Blues’ supporters will be certainly hoping for a similar kind of showings from the 26-year old next season as well.
