Chelsea were facing a daunting task when they were handed a two-window transfer ban ahead of the 2019-20 campaign for breaching rules related to registration of Under-18 players.
Besides that, head coach Maurizio Sarri jumped ship to Juventus, and the Blues were left in a difficult situation.
Up stepped former legendary player Frank Lampard, who previously took up the managerial role at Deby, and he has since successfully steered Chelsea away from those testing waters.
The Premier League giants remain very much in contention for Champions League qualification without having spent a fortune on players.
Chelsea are beginning to reap rewards from their famous ‘loan army’, with various young players forming the core of an exciting team. Under Lampard’s management, some players have looked brilliant, while the same cannot be said for a few others.
Here are the five hits and flops from Chelsea’s 2019-20 season:
#5 Fikayo Tomori (Hit)
Of the many success stories at Stamford Bridge this season, one belongs to Fikayo Tomori. A product of Chelsea’s youth academy, the 22-year-old had loan spells at Brighton and Hull City, before joining Derby County temporarily.
The player excelled at Pride Park, under Frank Lampard’s leadership, and he has been rewarded for the same in London as well. Tomori has played 15 Premier League matches this season, usurping regular right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, who has featured at left-back on various occasions.
The Englishman is adept at playing as a centre-back as well, which is evident from his stats. Tomori averages 2.1 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game, and he’s a neat passer as well, having an 88.1% pass completion rate.
Besides, he has scored two goals and has provided an assist in 22 appearances in all competitions. Judging by the initial signs, the youngster has a bright future ahead.
#4 Kepa Arrizabalaga (Flop)
Being the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga has always been under pressure to justify his huge price tag of €80 million. This season though, the pressure seems to have gotten the better of him.
The Spaniard has undergone a slump of sorts, looking nothing like the highly-regarded prospect who Chelsea had signed. Kepa has played 33 matches in all competitions this season, conceding 43 times at an alarming rate of more than a goal per game.
He’s kept just eight clean sheets all season, and the jury has been out to remind the Blues about their huge outlay.
Frank Lampard hasn’t given up on the player just yet, but the 25-year-old will have to start getting his act together or risk becoming the second choice behind Willy Caballero again.
#3 Mason Mount (Hit)
Despite being just 21-year-old, Mason Mount has played 41 matches for Chelsea this season, which clearly highlights Frank Lampard’s philosophy of trusting the youth.
The pair worked together at Derby last season, and just like Fikayo Tomori, Mount has also benefitted immensely from Lampard’s appointment at Stamford Bridge. He’s taken the given opportunities with both hands, contributing six goals and five assists in the Premier League.
Mount has played in multiple positions, and his vision and passing range are his biggest assets.
The England international signed a new contract ahead of the 2019-20 season, which clearly highlights that Chelsea consider him as a key player.
Moreover, if the current season is anything to go by, the youngster could go on to emulate his coach’s legacy and become a club legend.
#2 Emerson Palmieri (Flop)
Believe it or not, Emerson Palmieri is still at Chelsea, despite being a regular feature in transfer gossip columns. Since joining the Blues from Roma in January 2018, the 25-year-old has failed to nail down a place in the first team.
Emerson has played a paltry 18 matches across all competitions in the present campaign, justifying his role as a bit-part player. In truth, he has never looked convincing enough in a Chelsea shirt, and Frank Lampard doesn’t seem to trust him at all.
Ben Chilwell has been a long-term target for Chelsea, and his signing would be the final nail in the coffin for Emerson.
The Italy international won’t get too many chances at a trigger-happy club like Chelsea, so he should better up his game or the former Roma man’s time at Stamford Bridge will be limited.
#1 Tammy Abraham (Hit)
Ahead of the 2019-20 season, there was a lot of hype regarding Tammy Abraham, who had scored 25 goals for Aston Villa last season in the Championship.
Despite playing under a new manager, at a big club like Chelsea, the youngster has continued from where he left last season.
Abraham has amassed 15 goals in 34 matches across all competitions for his boyhood club this term.
He has also provided six assists, and the 22-year-old has a goal participation rate of 33%, which means every third goal that Chelsea have scored so far this season was either scored or assisted by this young man.
Abraham possesses all the qualities to become a top-notch player for Chelsea.
All stats courtesy: Transfermarkt.co.in
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