Chelsea never seem to do things the easy way. Just five months after ruthlessly axing club legend Frank Lampard, the Blues found themselves celebrating as Champions League winners in a memorable night in Portugal.
Lampard had overseen a busy summer of arrivals at Stamford Bridge with no less than seven new players, as Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Malang Sarr joining the Blues for a total of £220 million.
Unlike their rivals, Chelsea had funds to use after selling Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata to Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid respectively.
While the west London side failed to mount a title challenge as Manchester City cruised to their third title in four years, they would get their revenge in denying Pep Guardiola his first European title as City coach with a 1-0 win in Porto on May 29.
Despite their poor start under Lampard, Thomas Tuchel has transformed this squad from a side languishing in mid-table to Champions of Europe in five months, tightening up at the back and installing a resilient spirit within his players.
But there is no denying that several of their star names failed to deliver, at least in the early part of the season, and that cannot be forgotten.
Here, Mirror Sport grades each of their new signings' performances across the season...
Edouard Mendy: A-
It was only four years ago that Edouard Mendy considered quitting football altogether — Chelsea will be grateful he changed his mind.
The Senegalese stopper has been a mainstay in the side since arriving from Rennes for £22m last summer after being scouted by Petr Cech, with doubts over Kepa Arrizabalaga’s long-term future.
The 28-year-old was already performing wonders in the backline when Frank Lampard was sacked. But under Thomas Tuchel, Mendy has found another level and has risen to become almost unbeatable.
Mendy has made 29 appearances in the Premier League and has kept 16 clean sheets, with only 23 goals conceded. He never looked like putting a foot wrong when called upon in Porto and remarkably conceded only twice in the entire Champions League campaign.
Without his 6’5” presence in between the sticks, the Blues would have struggled to make the top four this season.
Thiago Silva: B+
At 35 there were question marks lingering over whether Thiago Silva could still perform at the top level, but the Brazilian has swatted away those doubts.
The centre-back is a genuine leader, a rarity in modern football these days, and has been a key cog in Tuchel’s back-three since he took charge.
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Aside from two nightmare displays against West Brom, the former PSG defender has been a superb addition and is a popular figure with the fans.
Silva was originally drafted in as more of a back-up option but his consistent performances at the back means the west London club are poised to hand him another year on his contract.
Ben Chilwell: B+
Like the other six signings who arrived last summer, Chilwell has had to prove himself all over again to Tuchel — and with positive results too.
The 24-year-old initially appeared to be the unlucky loser in Tuchel’s switch a back three as he is more of a full-back than wing-back.
But the England international has taken his new role into his stride and, after losing his place to Marcos Alonso, has fought his way back into the reckoning.
There is certainly room for improvement to made, but his attacking returns of two goals and five assists in 25 league matches reflects why Chelsea are content with their £50m acquisition in his first season at Stamford Bridge.
Timo Werner: C
With a hefty price tag comes big expectations — and quite simply, Werner has not delivered. what was expected of him But there is still time for the former RB Leipzig star to reproduce the form he showed in Germany.
On paper, Werner’s returns of 12 goals and 11 assists in all competitions underline his role as a link player in attack. But the 25-year-old will be the first to admit that the chances he has missed in front of goal have been unacceptable.
Both Lampard and Tuchel have worked tirelessly to find his best position up front, moving him out to the left and also as a centre forward, but perhaps the personnel is the more crucial factor.
Werner has begun to form a fruitful partnership with Kai Havertz and Mason Mount which could be critical in deciding whether Tuchel needs to sign another striker next season. After adjusting to life in England, a fully confident Werner could be prolific next season.
Kai Havertz: C
If Werner had something to prove, then Havertz had an even steeper task.
The 21-year-old became the club’s record signing at £72m when he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen but his first season in the Premier League has been disrupted by fitness concerns and poor form, with only eight goals in all competitions.
Havertz was badly affected by the coronavirus after testing positive in December and only in the latter stages of the season is he beginning to show why he was worth the outlay.
However, the German may have turned the corner after striking a brace against Crystal Palace in addition to his superb display against Real Madrid and wrote himself into Chelsea folklore with the winning goal in the Champions League final.
That showed why Chelsea had no intention of giving up on a player who, along with Mason Mount, is seen as an important part of their future — and 2021/22 may just be his season to shine.
Hakim Ziyech: C-
The first of Lampard’s summer signings, Ziyech has admitted his struggles to adapt to the pace and quality of the Premier League.
The £37m buy from Ajax is yet to hit the heights expected of him at Stamford Bridge with only six goals and three assists in 38 appearances.
But the 28-year-old may have found his calling under Tuchel and after improving his fitness levels, Ziyech scored two vital goals against Manchester City in both the FA Cup and Premier League recently.
Reports have linked the Moroccan with a summer exit, but there is a feeling the best is still to come from Ziyech in a blue shirt.
