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Chelsea 2021/22 player ratings (part one): Goalkeepers and defense

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 12: Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea celebrates 0-2 during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid v Chelsea at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2022 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 12: Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea celebrates 0-2 during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid v Chelsea at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2022 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea battles for possession with Anthony Gordon of Everton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on December 16, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea battles for possession with Anthony Gordon of Everton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on December 16, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Cesar Azpilicueta (Centerback/wingback): 7/10

Cesar Azpilicueta was very good for Chelsea last season, making 47 appearances in all, playing over 3,600 minutes. He was consistent in the Premier League, making 27 total appearances. He was a cool-headed figure on the pitch, as well as a leader both on and off it. Azpilicueta won the most tackles as a defender (51) and won 1.7 aerial duels per game at a 61% success rate, which is impressive considering his height. The Spaniard’s tenacity and intelligence were substantial parts of Chelsea’s success.

All in all, the club captain recorded six goals and assists in all competitions, and he was particularly good in the cup games. His leadership saw the Blues win the rest of the trophies in club football to complete the set. Chelsea won the Club World Cup under his leadership. Azpilicueta is no longer as fresh as he used to be, and so he’ll naturally get fewer minutes the more seasons he’s at the club. But he will always give his all, that much fans can vouch for.

Trevoh Chalobah (Centerback): 7.5/10

Trevoh Chalobah made his Premier League and overall club debut this season with the Blues. It was beautiful seeing him score on his league debut against Crystal Palace on matchday one. Chalobah made 20 Premier League appearances and 30 appearances in all competitions. He was superb in all of them. He was particularly brilliant in the finals of the UEFA Super Cup, Carabao Cup and FA Cup. He won the highest percentage of his tackles (87%), despite contesting the third-most of all Chelsea’s defenders (47). Chalobah also blocked the second-most shots per 90 amongst defenders (0.6). Chalobah averaged a 91% passing accuracy in the league, an indication of how good his distribution was last season.

Andreas Christensen (Centerback): 6.5/10

Andreas Christensen was OK last season, he played exactly half of the available league matches and played 34 games in all competitions. His season was derailed by the contract negotiations when it was reported that he had changed the previously agreed terms of the contract. This saw Thomas Tuchel bench Christensen for large parts of the campaign, and his minutes only dwindled from then on.

He made some appearances after the contract saga, but he was poor in those games. The Arsenal game comes to mind as he was subbed off at half time. It’s important to note in the game against the Gunners though that his replacement, Thiago Silva, was equally useless. Christensen sat out the FA Cup final much to the irritation of many Chelsea fans when they heard that he was not injured and just requested to be excluded from the line-up. Tuchel knows better than anyone why Christensen had to sit out that match and it’s advisable to refrain from overreacting until one knows the full story. Christensen led the Blues in interceptions per game in the league.

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