Chelsea Player of the Year: Top 3 candidates ranked

Looking back at the 2018/19 season, it can be declared that Chelsea enjoyed a successful campaign. A third-place finish alongside a European trophy would have been accepted before the season.

Maurizio Sarri arrived in England with much hype and expectation to completely transform Chelsea’s style of play. An initial unbeaten streak gave the fans immense hope, putting them in the title race.

By the end of November, the Blues were the only team in Europe’s top five leagues not to have lost a game. They were on a 16-game unbeaten in all competitions until Tottenham handed them a 3-1 defeat at Wembley. From then on, the Blues had an up and down season which saw humiliating defeats at the hands of Bournemouth and Manchester City.

It can be said that the players didn’t fully grasp the methods of Maurizio Sarri, but it was some of their individual performances that eventually carried Chelsea through to a top-four finish and European silverware.

Here are Chelsea Player of the Year: Top 3 candidates ranked.

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#3 Antonio Rüdiger

Antonio Rudiger signed for Chelsea in 2017

In a relatively shaky defence, Antonio Rüdiger has been the one constant for Chelsea. The German formed partnerships with David Luiz and Andreas Christensen, but regardless of his partner, Rüdiger always performed to a higher level. Sarriball wouldn’t have had the platform to shine if Rüdiger wasn’t at the foundation.

It’s safe to say that without Rüdiger, Chelsea would have conceded more than the 39 goals they did in the league. Such was the poor defensive shape of the team that the Blues defence was often left vulnerable to being overloaded. This can be seen through Rüdiger averaging 2.9 clearances a game.

Whoever Chelsea appoints as a new manager, they must firmly promote Christensen as a first team starter alongside the German. With David Luiz on the wrong side of 30, Rüdiger will evolve into, if he already hasn’t, Chelsea’s marquee defender and leader at the back.

#2 N’Golo Kante

N'Golo Kante scored five goals this season

What a few years it’s been for N’Golo Kante. The man who always plays with a smile on his face has enjoyed unprecedented amounts of success both domestically and internationally. In the past four years, the Frenchman has won a World Cup, two Premier Leagues, the FA Cup and Europa League. Is there a more successful player on the planet today?

Once again, Kante proved why he is the model professional. His relentless work rate off the ball gives Chelsea energy in midfield that covers for the lack of mobility of Jorginho.

On the ball, Kante morphed into a ball-carrier this season, regularly making runs into the final third due to Sarri’s refusal to play him in front of the back four. Despite the position change, Kante still managed to average 1.2 interceptions and 2.1 tackles per game.

Although he normally ends the season as the player of the year, this year he’ll have to miss out due to the exceptional performances of his Belgian teammate.

#1 Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard is on the verge of joining Real Madrid

In his farewell season to English football, Eden Hazard truly saved his best for the last. For so many years we’ve been blessed to witness the Belgian’s breath-taking playing style. Hazard’s bewitching dribbling, cat-like agility, unrealistic ball control and composed finishing have made him a nightmare for defenders in England.

In perhaps his final audition for a move to Real Madrid, the 28-year-old scored 21 goals and provided 15 assists in all competitions, averaging a goal or assist every 93 minutes. The Belgian quite literally carried Chelsea on his back this season, dragging them to results through his individual brilliance.

Without Hazard next season, we’ll see how good this Chelsea squad truly is. Add to the mix that they might be banned from making any signings and it could be a tough Eden Hazard-less 2019/20 season for the Blues.

At Real Madrid, Eden Hazard may finally be forced to be less selfish and inevitably reach the goalscoring levels of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.