Chelsea are Premier League champions for the fifth time after sealing the title with victory at West Bromwich Albion on Friday night.
Antonio Conte has landed English football’s biggest prize in just his first season in the country, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante key to the team’s brilliant season.
But there have been many more players who have shone, and even some who have disappointed. MATT BARLOW rates the champions’ season, player by player.
Commanding presence and a return to form including one magnificent save at Sunderland and a point-saving display at Liverpool.
PL apps: 35 Clean sheets: 16
Cesar Azpilicueta – 8
Dependable and versatile and may have found his perfect position on the right of Chelsea’s back-three.
PL apps: 36
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (left) and defender Cesar Azpilicueta were both defensive rocks
David Luiz – 8
Quick and easy on the ball and low on errors. Thrived on the responsibility of being Conte’s defensive keystone.
PL apps: 32 Goals: 1
Gary Cahill – 7.5
Revived after a sloppy start to the campaign. Led team in Terry’s absence, defended with his heart and scored key goals, including a winner at Stoke.
PL apps: 36 Goals: 6
David Luiz (left) and Gary Cahill formed a superb partnership in Chelsea’s new back-three
Victor Moses – 7.5
His transformation from flaky winger to wing back of great stamina and strength was crucial to Conte’s big tactical switch.
PL apps: 28 (5 subs) Goals: 3
Marcos Alonso – 7.5
An inspired signing who delivered the balance on the left and weighed in with vital goals, including two in an important win at Leicester.
PL apps: 29 (1) Goals: 6
Wing backs Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses (top) reformed their reputations this season
John Terry – 5
Marginalised by Conte’s switch to three at the back but the 35-year-old captain will lift his fifth title before leaving.
PL apps: 4 (3)
Kurt Zouma – 5
Back after serious injury but unable to break into a settled back-three and faces an uncertain Chelsea future.
PL apps: 2 (6)
Central defenders John Terry (left) and Kurt Zouma found their chances limited
Branislav Ivanovic – 4
Dreadful start to the season, dropped and sold in January, he will reflect more fondly on other years and other medals.
PL apps: 6 (7)
Nathaniel Chalobah – 5.5
Conte’s favourite academy graduate who stepped from the bench and into central midfield when there were leads to defend.
PL apps: 0 (9)
Branislav Ivanovic’s Chelsea career is over but Nathaniel Chalobah is just beginning
N’Golo Kante was the all-action midfield hero that made Chelsea tick this season
N’Golo Kante – 9
The heartbeat of Conte’s Chelsea; covered miles, won the ball, passed it well – and even scored a goal against Manchester United.
PL apps: 33 Goals: 1
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 5
Another frustrating year for a youngster earmarked for greatness by Chelsea’s elite but largely overlooked by three successive managers.
PL apps: 0 (6)
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (left) was overlooked again while Oscar was shipped off to China
Oscar – 4
Failed to make any impression on Conte and was sold to Shanghai SIPG in January.
League appearances: 5 (4)
Nemanja Matic – 7
Supplied the physical presence in the middle and developed a good understanding with Kante.
PL apps: 30 (5) 1 goal
Nemanja Matic’s physical presence was a mainstay in Conte’s first-choice midfield
The flair and creativity of Cesc Fabregas proved most useful, particularly in 2017
Cesc Fabregas – 7
Often used from the bench but his creativity has been influential and his attitude admirable while condemned to the fringes.
PL apps: 12 (15) Goals: 4
Willian – 7
Chelsea’s player of the season last year was ousted by Pedro’s fine form but still able to contribute with goals including one at Man City.
PL apps: 13 (19) Goals: 7
Willian (left) had his place in the starting XI usurped by Pedro, who had a fine season
Pedro – 8
A revelation after an indifferent first season, with destructive speed and a vital cluster of goals in spring when Costa dried up.
PL apps: 26 (7) Goals: 8
Eden Hazard – 8.5
Back to his best after fitness and form problems in 2015/16; full of flicks, feints and explosive bursts and a memorable solo goal against Arsenal.
PL apps: 34 Goals: 15
Eden Hazard was back to his dazzling best, scoring and creating crucial goals
Michy Batshuayi has endured a frustrating start at Chelsea and faces a fight for his future
Michy Batshuayi – 4.5
Slow to adjust after signing for £34m; only two goals and his disappointing form prompted Conte to use Hazard at centre forward when without Costa.
PL apps: 0 (18) Goals: 2
Diego Costa was the team’s driving force before Christmas with his goals and aggression
Diego Costa – 8
Unstoppable in the first half of the season; less so after the turn of the year but led the line and found his goal touch again when it mattered.
PL apps: 34 Goals: 20
Antonio Conte – 9.5
Spotted the problems, solved them and energised Chelsea with his passion and desire. An emphatic debut season. Now for the FA Cup.
Antonio Conte engineered the title triumph with a succession of astute decisions
Also…
Asmir Begovic (PL apps 1, clean sheets 0); Ola Aina (0+2 apps); Nathan Ake (0+1)
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4500078/Chelsea-season-player-ratings-real-stars.html#ixzz4gzgLtKIf
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