Let's look at Chelsea's best performers from the 2020/21 season.
Stats from fbref.
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Mason Mount | 22 | Midfielder:
In the span of a few months, Mase has gone from a talented-but-inconsistent youngster to one of the best midfielders in the league.
His skillset is incredibly complete and he's only getting better. End product is where he should focus next.
Thiago Silva | 36 | Defender:
Looked a cut above every defender on the pitch in most of his games. His ability on the ball, sense of timing and general sense of swagger while playing are phenomenal.
What a shame we couldn’t get him earlier - That's the only complaint about him.
N’Golo Kante | 30 | Midfielder:
Very, very good in two different positions in two different setups. This is his best season at the club since 2017/18 and he is even better defensively than he was back then.
His CL run will go down as one of the best ever by a midfielder.
Kai Havertz | 21 | Forward:
After a slow start, he shone brightly as a centre-forward under Tuchel. His ability to link play while also getting on the end of chances combines the best of our two other centre-forwards.
There’s so much more to come.
Ben Chilwell | 24 | Fullback:
Chelsea Mr Consistent. He offers sound decision-making and strong basics every game, holding up the left flank by himself.
He has improved a lot over the course of the season, especially at moving the ball forward.
Mateo Kovacic | 27 | Midfielder:
Our team’s ball-progression machine. His defensive awareness and decision-making can improve but overall, this has been another positive season.
His skillset is so unique among our squad’s players. With a few improvements, he can go far.
Timo Werner | 25 | Forward:
Refused to let his personal struggles affect him, with his relentless effort and hustle helping us every game. While his finishing hasn't been up to par, his underlying metrics look great and he looked awesome playing along Havertz.
Keep the faith.
Reece James | 21 | Fullback:
Started the season looking like the best right-back in the league for the first 3 months before his form dropped. Finished the season strongly, both as a wing-back and as a centre-back.
Has the makings of a future captain along with Mount.
If you want to read about other players, here is an article looking at what every Chelsea player did well and their stats over the 2020/21 season.
Our third best player this season after Mount and Kante, at least under Tuchel. Criminally underrated on the ball and fits our defensive scheme like a glove.
Note: I prepared his chart for the article but forgot to mention in this thread, apologies. 😅
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In 2017, we bought Drinkwater (£35m) and Zappacosta (£25m). If we had kept Chalobah over Drinkwater, we could've spent the £60m on someone like Alex Sandro.
The more we use our academy, the better for us.
I like to follow what I call the Mbappe theory:
Any player who is signed over an academy graduate needs to fill the following criteria:
Ruben Dias got dribbled past as frequently as Sadio Mane this season.
Dias: 0.54 per 90
Mane: 0.54 per 90
It feels as if the media/fans want another iconic defender to fill the void left by Van Dijk's injury. Dias isn't that.
For what it's worth, City's goals conceded and xG conceded improved by roughly 10%.
Dias is a good defender, don't get me wrong, but that's all he is. A good defender. The media need to stop forcing this narrative that he's the best player in the league down our throats.
The rightful owner of the POTY award is Harry Kane.
If you're hell-bent on giving it to a Portuguese player in Manchester, it's Bruno Fernandes.
City have adopted a more defensive structure and Dias has fit in well. That does NOT make him the best player in the league.
A thread on Thomas Tuchel - As described by himself and those who have worked with him.
This should be helpful to those who are unfamiliar with his methods and will hopefully help clear a few misconceptions.
Tuchel on his style of play — Creating a fundamental framework within which all players operate while also giving them the freedom to come up with their own solutions.
Tuchel on youth development — Young players need to face obstacles and come up with solutions to truly develop as players. Not everything should be taught or handed out on a silver platter.
Introducing Edouard Mendy – A thread on his strengths, weaknesses, areas to improve and fit at Chelsea.
The thread will mainly focus on three keepers – Alphonse Areola, Mike Maignan and Kepa Arrizabalaga - along with Edouard Mendy.
Data for Areola is from the 2018-19 season because he didn’t play enough in 19-20.
Data has been taken from the amazing people at @fbref.
While Mendy is a very solid shot-stopper, Alphonse Areola stands out as the best option in this regard. All 4 options play behind good defences and therefore face few shots.
Maignan is average and Kepa is bad at shot-stopping.
Let’s take an in-depth look at Kai Havertz – his strengths, weaknesses and tactical fit at Chelsea.
(THREAD)
Havertz’s progression since 2016-17, both in terms of actual and expected output, has been very promising. His creative metrics in particular have seen an improvement in the 2019-20 season.
He seems to be a naturally skilled finisher too, judging by his xG over-performance.
His performance metrics such as shots and dribbles have gradually improved with time too. Development isn’t linear and he has regressed in some metrics but that is how players grow.
His penalty box touches has increased over the seasons as he has moved closer to goal.