Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea era has been a true roller coaster with the great ups hidden in a Champions League trophy, several league and FA Cup titles. The downs are not so metaphorical as Chelsea really did see a massive drop on the table last season finishing at record lowest since 1996 at 10th position.
Unlike two seasons ago, when Chelsea acquired Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas early on in the summer transfer window, Chelsea’s performance this transfer window has been quite average. Their two main signings Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante have been great additions, but it remains to be seen whether the new manager will be able to salvage a Champions League spot – a primary criterion expected by the club’s hierarchy.
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Nonetheless, with the two Manchester clubs not calling a day with their record shattering and money splashing, Conte will really have to bring all he’s got to be noticed in the swarm of clubs genuinely targeting the title.
The new manager showed no dearth of passion at the recent European Championships this summer and the Blues fans will be hoping that he can keep the fire burning at Chelsea as well. The players are looking for ways to forget the nightmare that was last season and guide Chelsea to the team that was feared by teams travelling to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will be looking for the academy products as well as new signings to perform in order to challenge for a top 4 spot, if not the title.
Here are 5 Chelsea players that should be on your radar this season.
#1 Kurt Zouma
Last season Kurt Zouma suffered a horrific injury in his game against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. He severely damaged his anterior cruciate ligament and was out for a predicted 6 months.
Chelsea failed to pick themselves up last season after Zouma’s injury with the primary problem stemming from defensive instability.
Zouma is indispensable to the English giants and the stats buttress this claim. According to his 2016 statistics, Zouma topped the list before he was injured in the highest number of aerial duels won with an impressive total of 19, aerial success rate of 79%, 46 clearances, and 5 blocks in the entire Chelsea squad.
The man has his way when it comes to countering counter attacks. He quells them with an impressive sprint followed by a perfectly timed slide in to clear the ball. He’s consistent and has excellent tactical ability.
Not only did he form a brilliant partnership with John Terry, he outshone some of his seniors and dislodged Gary Cahill from his position in the first team.
The Frenchman is covering great ground on his recovery and is poised to come back sooner than anticipated. Keep a look out, he could make a late substitution by early next month.
#2 Michy Batshuayi
The Blues’ first signing of the transfer window, Michy Batshuayi joined Chelsea for £33 million.
The forward from Marseille scored an impressive 23 goals last season and 3 goals in 6 games for his national team, Belgium. Batshuayi scored off the bench at Euros and on his debut.
The exciting 22-year-old has fierce pace with a keen eye for the net. He’s described as a poacher who can also convert penalties. He’s nicknamed ‘Batsman’ and Premier League experts believe that he is a player to watch out for in Conte’s new formation.
The Belgian International impressed his new club coach Antonio Conte on his debut match against RZ Pellets. The Italian had a few words for the new signing after the match: “Technique, great talent, two feet and he is very fast.”
For those who like to talk of super-subs, Michy is, according to numbers, the ultimate sub. No player in Europe’s top five leagues has scored more goals as a substitute than Batshuayi (nine) in the last two seasons. Not only that, the Belgian was only third, ahead of Edison Cavani, in the total tally of goals and assists in the Ligue 1 2015/2016, only behind Ibrahimovic and Di Maria.
#3 Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Loftus-Cheek is a sturdy man, towering 6’ 3”. You would think his center of gravity isn’t all that low, but it is. The Englishman brings out his best both physically and tactically when he’s on the pitch. It is this versatility that has managed to get the 20-year-old some considerable playing time for Chelsea.
The midfielder featured for the Chelsea first-team 11 times last season; making him the most used talent from the Chelsea academy recently. He’s on the right trajectory to greater success both for club and country. Earlier this year, the midfielder took part in the Toulon tournament with England and bagged the prestigious Player of the Tournament, after he scored the winning goal to beat France in the finals. Ruben is the first English player to win the award since Alan Shearer in 1991.
Chelsea’s new tactician Antonio Conte has plans for the youngster and there were even talks that Conte plans on trying the midfielder as a striker. The manager believes that his adaptability would eventually transform him to be a force to be reckoned with.
Ever since his debut against Liverpool in May 2015, Loftus-Cheek has been the ray of hope for both the fans and management. The club is desperate to find a talented academy player to break through the barriers created by ever-changing managers.
#4 Ola Aina
Ola Aina is one of the few academy products to break into the first team. The 19-year-old impressed in the pre-season games and has convinced manager Antonio Conte to hold on to him. Aina’ contract ran out on July 1st and was a free agent, but eventually signed a new 4-year contract binding the right back to Chelsea until 2020.
“I am delighted to sign a new four-year deal and commit myself to the club for that period of time. I am very happy and I want to keep progressing this season.”
It was under Jose Mourinho’s tutelage that the Englishman broke into the senior team last year but failed to win himself any playing time. Aina’s professional rise took its time. Initially occupying the right wing position, Aina has a strong defense with the ability to run up and put in crosses, a trait that could see him replacing Branislav Ivanovic in the Chelsea line-up.
The talent joined Chelsea as an 11-year-old. Until a few years ago, Aina’s teammates were more likely to break into the first team, however, time has been kind to the right back and helped him develop into a more complete player.
#5 Nemanja Matic
After Chelsea won the title two years ago, pundits praised Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, and Cesc Fabregas as the primary poster boys. Matic was the unsung hero and didn’t receive half the applause he deserved. However, come last season, the man was disastrous.
Obviously the managers of the footballing world didn’t fail to see his brilliant performances. He’s currenltly being pursued ferociously by the tenacious Italian giants, Juventus, as they look to replace Paul Pogba.
Matic sits in front of defenses, forming a perfect screen. Although his position is somewhat under threat due to the signing of N’Golo Kante, who coincidentally pulled off the same heroics last season for Leicester as Matic did for Chelsea the season before.
It’s not too absurd to say that Matic has outshine anyone on his day, and if he kicks off the season like he did in the 2014/2015 title run, Matic will put on performances with perfectly timed interceptions and tackles.
