Food For Thought: 3 Chelsea Players Who Will Look To Pull Up Their Socks Next Season

Chelsea had a dismal campaign as they finished 10th in the Premier League. The same players who helped Chelsea win the Premier League during the 2014/15 campaign were responsible for Chelsea’s worst ever league position in the last decade. During the 2014/15 campaign, players like Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were amongst the top performers in the Premier League in the 2014/15 season. But last season was totally different. Hazard was out-of-form and Costa managed only 12 goals in the league. A few players were consistent last season but for a club which is a title contender, every player must be in good nick. Willian was Chelsea’s best player last season but Chelsea needs more such performances to compete for the title next season. There are players with great potential but they need to pull up their socks before the new campaign starts.

1.) Eden Hazard

Hazard was Chelsea’s best player in the title winning 2014/15 season. He was the best in the Premier League that season. But last season, he was a mere shadow of himself from the 2014/15 season. In 31 appearances in the league, Hazard managed only 4 goals and 3 assists which is very less compared to his 14 goals and 9 assists in the 2014/15 season. He was low on confidence throughout the season. But he had an impressive campaign at the EURO 2016 for Belgium. In 5 appearances, he managed 4 assists and scored 1 goal. Hazard seems to have rediscovered his touch and form. Chelsea will be managed by Antonio Conte next season and in the Italian’s first season as Chelsea’s head coach, he will need an in-form Hazard. So Hazard must look to pull up his socks next season.

2.) Cesc Fabregas

The Spaniard is another player who lost his touch after an impressive 2014/15 campaign. Fabregas registered a staggering 18 assists in the Premier League during the 2014/15 season. On the contrary, last season, Fabregas managed only 7 assists in 37 appearances. Fabregas is a very key figure in Chelsea’s squad. He has a great vision and has the ability to play excellent passes which result into goal-scoring chances. Last season was average according to his standards. Next season, he will have a new midfield partner in N’Golo Kante. They’ll be expected to form a strong partnership in central midfield and Fabregas’ experience will come in handy. Fabregas needs to be at his best if Chelsea want to compete for the title next season and he too must tighten his shoelaces before the new campaign starts.

3.) Diego Costa

The controversial Spanish forward too did not have a very good season. Costa was Chelsea’s biggest goal-scoring threat during the 2014/15 season when he racked up 20 goals. He was supported well by Hazard and other players that season and Chelsea clinched the title. But last season, things were different. Hazard was out of form and even Costa was not in the best of forms. He managed 12 goals in the Premier League which is less considering his standards. Costa is an aggressive striker and has been involved in a lot of incidents on the pitch. Next season will be Antonio Conte’s first season as Chelsea manager and an in-form forward will be the first thing on his wishlist. Costa’s abilities as a striker cannot be doubted. His finishing is supreme and his physical strength gives him an edge in aerial duels. There could be a change in Chelsea’s formation and Conte could play with two forwards. In that case, Costa will have to form a good partnership with Batshuayi. Costa should fire himself up before the new campaign starts.