5 Chelsea players who have been underwhelming this season

After making one of the most expensive squad overhauls in recent history, Chelsea took some time to get going before hitting their stride.

Following a 2-0 reverse to reigning Premier League champions Liverpool, Chelsea embarked on a nine-game unbeaten run that saw them challenge for the top spot in the league table.

However, in an expected slide of sorts, the Blues lost four of their next six games to slip to ninth in the 2020-21 Premier League.

Chelsea's dip in fortunes has a lot to do with the underwhelming returns of a plethora of players.

Five Chelsea players who have flattered to deceive this season

Despite the impressive early form exhibited by new goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and the exploits of Olivier Giroud, Chelsea have failed to arrest their downward slide since mid-December.

The Blues slumped to defeats against Everton, Wolves, Arsenal and Manchester City and face a battle to qualify for the top four.

So, without further ado, let us have a look at five Chelsea players who have largely failed to get going this season.

#5 N'Golo Kante

N'Golo Kante has been one of the standout players for Chelsea since arriving from Leicester City four years ago.

However, the diminutive Frenchman has struggled to hit his stride this season, and that has had an effect on Chelsea's performances, especially in the Premier League.

Kante has only impressed in bits and parts this campaign and is 'nowhere near good enough' as described by former Manchester United player Gary Neville.

Neville's comments assume significance in light of Kante's horror show against Manchester City. The Frenchman appeared listless in his tackles, was exposed on too many occasions as a lone holding midfielder and appeared too slow to track back.

#4 Mateo Kovacic

Mateo Kovacic has largely failed to light up Stamford Bridge with his performances since his arrival from Real Madrid two years ago.

The 26-year-old midfielder has tallied a dismal two goals and seven assists in over 100 games for Chelsea in all competitions, a tally that comprises of only two assists in 20 games this season.

Despite being the club's Player of the Year last season, Kovacic has struggled to get going in Lampard's 4-3-3 formation this campaign, as the Croatia international is not a quintessential number eight or a defensive number six.

Unless the Chelsea manager returns to a 3-4-3 or a 4-2-3-1, which he is unlikely to do so any time soon, Kovacic's frailties would continue to get exposed, and the beleaguered Blues would be worse off for it.

#3 Cesar Azpilicueta

Cesar Azpilicueta is the longest-serving player in the current Chelsea team but is nowhere near one of the club's standout performers.

Restricted to just eight appearances in the Premier League this season after being involved in 36 in the last campaign, injuries and loss of form have meant that the 31-year-old is no longer an automatic starter at Chelsea.

The Spaniard remains the club's captain for now, but the emergence of academy graduate Reece James means that Cesar Azpilicueta's days at Chelsea appear numbered.

Nevertheless, despite the player's diminishing impact at Chelsea, Lampard has no intentions of taking the captain's arm-band off 'Azpi', saying in this regard:

“Whether he plays, or there might be times when he doesn’t, he will have the same positive impact on the group off the pitch. That is all I can ask for. It is a pleasure to have him here for that.”

#2 Timo Werner

Timo Werner scored goals galore for RB Leipzig but has strangely struggled to hit his stride since moving to Chelsea in the summer.

The 24-year-old striker has had a dismal return of only four goals in 17 Premier League games. He failed to score in his last 12 games in the competition after being unable to find the back of the net against Manchester City on Sunday.

It is the longest scoring drought of his young career, which has coincided with Chelsea's dramatic slide.

Perhaps, Werner would have better returns in front of goal if he is moved from the wings to his preferred centre-forward position. However, that would possibly necessitate Chelsea to tweak their formation and play an attacking midfielder less, something Lampard may not be very keen to do.

#1 Kai Havertz

After a breakthrough campaign at Bayer Leverkusen, Kai Havertz has failed to get going after joining Chelsea in the summer.

Much like his older compatriot Timo Werner, Havertz has struggled to adapt to the physicality of the English game, returning underwhelming returns of only four goals in 21 games in all competitions for Chelsea.

Of course, Havertz has not been helped by his enormous price tag and Lampard's decision to play him out wide, which is not his preferred position.

Chelsea fans haven't yet seen the best of Havertz, but the 21-year-old did provide a fleeting glimpse of his ability by assisting Callum Hudson-Odoi in Chelsea's 3-1 loss against Manchester City on Sunday.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh