In the summer of 2020, Chelsea spent over 200 million pounds on new players to make the club stronger and hopefully transition to a title contender.
Fast forward to May of 2021 and Chelsea has finished fourth in the Premier League for the second straight season, lost in the FA Cup Final for the second straight season and are in the Champions League Final. Oh, and there is a new boss in town in Thomas Tuchel as Frank Lampard got the sack in January.
In the summer transfer window, Lampard brought in Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Edouard Mendy and Thiago Silva to strengthen the squad. (Malang Sarr was also signed for a free but was loaned to Porto so we won’t include him in this article.)
Since the Premier League season is now finished, I’m going to give a letter grade to all the signings that were made in the transfer window last summer.
Timo Werner £47.70 million: C
This was the signing I was the most excited about and frankly, Chelsea fans were really excited too. Werner scored 29 goals in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig and changed his mind about going to Liverpool.
Unfortunately, it has been a tough start in London for the German striker. He was missing sitters, open nets and having a hard time up front. It also doesn’t help that he has had plenty of goals called off for offside.
On the bright side, he is Chelsea’s leader in goal contributions in all competitions this season with 12 goals and 14 assists.
Werner has the tools to be a fantastic player in the Premier League but finishing is the missing ingredient. Hopefully next season, he is firing on all cylinders again.
Kai Havertz £72.00 million: C
One of the Bundesliga’s brightest young talents, there was a lot of hype surrounding Kai Havertz’s move from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea. He became the club’s record signing. He struggled in the first half of the season not only on the pitch but he was also got COVID-19 which saw him out for two weeks.
Havertz did show steady improvement in the second half of the season. The performances against Everton and the second leg against Real Madrid come to mind.
It’s been a tough season for Kai Havertz but he is showing improvement. pic.twitter.com/BOlJtCeqhT
— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) May 21, 2021
Havertz has been tried at numerous positions by both Lampard and Tuchel and it is still a question on which position is right for him.
Havertz has shown glimpses of what he could potentially become with his passing and creativity. While he has looked lost on the pitch at times, the potential is still there.
Hakim Ziyech £36.00 million: C-
Though he was signed in February of 2020, Hakim Ziyech still counts as a signing in the summer transfer window. Ziyech didn’t play officially play for Chelsea until October when he picked up a knee injury in the preseason. With the Eredivisie season cancelled due to the pandemic, he actually didn’t play a competitive match for seven months. He looked brilliant early on with impressive performances against Burnley and Sheffield United. It looked like he came as advertised with his excellent passing, crossing and playmaking.
He suffered a hip injury in December and came back not as sharp and his form went downhill. Part of it because he was played on the left side under Tuchel while Lampard played him on the left. With Ziyech in the prime of his career it is a great opportunity for him to prove himself in the Premier League. So far, he hasn’t adapted well to the English game. If he wants to stay at Chelsea, he should be more consistent.
Ziyech has the skill and the talent, but he needs to adapt and find some consistency. Hopefully with next season, we see the player that was a wizard at Ajax.
Ben Chilwell, £45.18 million: B
In his first season at Chelsea after arriving from Leicester City, Chilwell has settled in nicely.
Chilwell has eight Premier League goals involvements (3 goals and 5 assists.) and only Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has more with 9.
He has provided Chelsea with some great runs down the left, vision, passes and even some goals. Per FootballReference, Chilwell averages 4.85 progressive passes per 90, 2.58 blocks per 90 and 1.67 aerial duels per 90. Chilwell has been consistent all season and has been a nice staple to the left back position.
Edouard Mendy: £21.60 million: A+
Last season, Kepa Arrizabalaga wasn’t getting it done in goal with his constant howlers. Lampard demanded a goalkeeper and he got one in Eduoard Mendy from Rennes.
To be honest, I didn’t know who Mendy was at the time and I guess not many other Chelsea fans did either. Everyone knows his name now.
Mendy has been a wall in goal. He was making big saves when Chelsea needed him most. He looks calm and focused between the posts.
He sports a 75.7 save percentage per 90 and a 0.68 goals against per 90. His 16 clean sheets in the Premier League were second behind Ederson’s 18. Not bad for a guy who was unemployed at the age of 23 and almost quit football.
Tuchel has hinted that Mendy will be fit for the Champions League Final. Chelsea need his big saves so fingers crossed.
Thiago Silva, Free: A
The defense needed to be improved heading into this season and Chelsea didn’t spend a single shilling on Thiago SIlva.
Fresh off losing the Champions League Final with Paris Saint-Germain, Silva looks like he is in his 20s with his play.
He’s been making key tackles, interceptions and even has tried to use his head for goals. Silva has been a leader for the backline and the whole squad as well.
He averages 1.25 interceptions per 90 and 5.37 clearances per 90.
Honestly, did not expect him to be this good, especially at 36. According to Fabrizio Romano, he will be staying at least one more year.
What do you think of my grades for the summer signings? Harsh? Fair? Let me know on Twitter or in the comments below!