Barring a historic collapse, Arsenal are going to win the league. It’s better for Chelsea fans who are in denial to just accept that.
Even sports betting online are close to paying out on the Gunners, while Chelsea remain stuck in the mud, no closer to a title challenge than they were a year ago. But despite the team’s failings, we’re seeing individuals shine, which is promising for the future. As we reach the halfway point of the season, who would be Chelsea’s player of the year candidates?
Here are 3 candidates for the prize as the season stands right now:
Trevoh Chalobah
Along with Robert Sanchez, Chalobah has made the join most starts of anyone at Chelsea in the Premier League this season, playing 20 of 21 games.
He’s the second highest rated Chelsea player to have started more than 10 games, and is truly showing his best now he gets regular games alongside Wesley Fofana. We love to see how far he’s come.
Reece James
James recently reached a significant milestone – 12 months without an injury. That’s a big deal for a player whose career so far has been blighted by medical issues.
Being fit has allowed him to find his form, and he’s been at his spectacular best all year, whether at his usual right back role or when called into midfield. Without doubt one of the best players ever to come from the academy, we’re so happy to see him playing regularly.
Moises Caicedo
The outstanding candidate. He’s improved every year that he’s been at Chelsea, and this year he’s gone to the next level. Pundits – and his own manager – are calling him the best (or among the best) midfielders in the league.
He covers so much ground, puts his body around, works well with the ball and scores spectacular goals (almost exclusively). What more do you want from a midfielder?
Of course he still has his weaknesses – his absurd love of picking up cards is a real issue. He’s getting bans in multiple competitions. They provide pretty much his only rests from the first team. They’re becoming a self fulfilling prophecy too: he’s now got such a reputation as a player who gets booked that refs are reaching for their cards immediately, even for fouls that another player might get away with.
Getting him out of his bad habits and helping him shake off that reputation will be a key part of Rosenior’s early stages as manager at Chelsea.
