In a previous article, we had covered the five best performers for Chelsea FC in the recently concluded Premier League season. However, apart from those players, there have been some surprise standout displays by certain members of Frank Lampard’s side.
While some members of the Blues’ first-team squad have exceeded expectations of the club’s supporters through their fantastic showings on the pitch, others have simply improved upon their performances from previous seasons to emerge as an integral part of Lampard’s squad.
Let us take a look at four such surprise breakout stars that have come through for the West London based outfit over the course of the 2019-20 season of Premier League football.
4. Reece James
A graduate of the now famed Chelsea FC youth academy, the wingback had been loaned out to Championship side Wigan Athletic during the 2018-19 campaign. However, the 20-year old was retained at Stamford Bridge ahead of the new season under Frank Lampard’s charge.
And James has seen plenty of action on the pitch for his boyhood side over the past year. The England U-21 international has made as many as 37 appearances across all competitions and has even found the back of the net twice in the process.
The 20-year old has often deputized for Chelsea FC skipper César Azpilicueta in worthy fashion on the right side of the defense when the Spaniard has been played as a center-back by the Blues manager Frank Lampard.
3. Kurt Zouma
Another one of Chelsea FC’s “loan army” that had spent the 2018-19 season away from Stamford Bridge, Zouma was called upon by his parent club in the wake of the departure of David Luiz to Arsenal. The Frenchman had always been highly regarded by the Chelsea FC supporters, however, the presence of more senior center-back’s at the club had limited Zouma’s playing opportunities in the past.
The 25-year old defender has been a regular part of the Blues’ starting lineup this season, despite Chelsea FC manager Frank Lampard having four centre-backs at his disposal in the form of Zouma, Antonio Rudiger, Fikayo Tomori, and Andreas Christensen. The French international, however, has arguably been the best performer amongst his teammates for the club this season.
Kurt Zouma.
That’s it. That’s the tweet. #CRYCHE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 7, 2020
Zouma has featured in 28 league outings for his side and has been on several occasions, a one-man wall for the Blues amidst their crumbling defensive woes of late. The 25-year old has often made last-ditch tackles and ball recoveries in his own half to rescue Chelsea FC in the dying moments of recent games.
2. Mason Mount
Another one of the club’s academy prospects, Mount had starred under the guidance of Frank Lampard the previous season when the duo were at Derby County. Upon the latter’s appointment as the new Chelsea FC boss, he chose to instill his faith in Mount’s abilities as a first-team midfield option.
The 21-year old has been nothing but a fantastic performer for the Blues in the 2019-20 Premier League campaign. The club’s most productive asset in the center of the park, Mount has played all but one of Chelsea FC’s 38 league fixtures this season.
He has racked up seven goals and six assists for Frank Lampard’s side this season, a number that is very impressive for the youngster’s first season in perhaps the most competitive league in the world.
1. Olivier Giroud
Another Frenchman amongst Chelsea FC’s ranks, the 33-year old veteran striker was almost on his way out of the club earlier this year in the January transfer window. With very few first-team opportunities coming his way, and Inter Milan being one of his suitors, Giroud looked all but certain to leave the Blues. However, the French international chose to prolong his stay with Chelsea FC at Frank Lampard’s behest and signed a one-year contract extension with the club.
The player has been in a fantastic run of form since the Premier League restarted in mid-June. With Tammy Abraham being benched due to the youngster’s poor run of form in front of goal, Giroud was reinstated as Chelsea FC’s first-choice striker by Lampard.
Having scored just twice for Chelsea FC before the suspension of league football, the Frenchman has found the back of the net six times in nine Premier League games post the lockdown period. The 33-year old’s goalscoring prowess was a major contributor towards the Blues sealing a top-four finish in the league standings.
