Chelsea FC report card, 2020/21 season: Man City should be grateful Thomas Tuchel wasn’t appointed sooner

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With the Champions League Final against Manchester City on Saturday, this season could yet be remembered as one of the greatest in Chelsea’s history.

Few would have predicted that when Frank Lampard was sacked in January but Thomas Tuchel has secured a top-four finish and taken the Blues to within 90 minutes of European glory.

James Robson assesses the 2020-21 campaign at Stamford Bridge… so far.

The season in one word | Rollercoaster

Star of the show | Mason Mount

Plenty to pick from with N’Golo Kante, Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen and Edouard Mendy all excelling at various points - but Mount has become absolutely pivotal to everything Chelsea do. And he is only getting better.

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Biggest disappointment | Timo Werner

Made a spectacular start where it looked like he would take the Premier League storm. But his goal-scoring form has dropped off a cliff. Has still played his part, but the fact Chelsea want a world class striker this summer, underlines his failings.

Most improved player | Andreas Christensen

Again, the defender is not alone in finding a new level but he has gone from the fringes to being a key part of Chelsea’s blue wall. Will get a new contract and maybe persuade Tuchel against bringing in another centre back.

Game to remember | Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid (5/5/21)

The game that booked Chelsea’s place in the Champions League Final. They not only beat the all-time kings of Europe, but humbled them. Real were lucky to escape without a hiding.

Game to forget | Chelsea 2-5 West Brom (3/4/21)

In two games against relegated West Brom, Chelsea managed to concede eight goals. While they fought back from 3-0 down at the Hawthorns to earn a draw, there would be no such comeback when Sam Allardyce caught them cold following the March international break. 

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Rising star | Billy Gilmour

Injury means we haven’t seen as much of the midfielder as we’d hoped after his breakthrough last season. Maybe a loan beckons next term, but his class is beyond doubt.

Manager verdict

Tuchel has been nothing short of spectacular. Manchester City should just be grateful he didn’t get the job a month earlier. Maybe then Pep Guardiola would have more than just the Champions League Final to worry about. 

Fans’ mood

There is no doubt supporters were infuriated by the decision to sack legend Frank Lampard in January. But Tuchel is evidence of the power of the elite coaches in world football. Chelsea are now in dreamland. 

Grade | B

Without doubt, Tuchel deserves an A+ but with Chelsea in such disarray when he took over, the overall grade has to be lower. Should they win the Champions League then it can definitely be upgraded.

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