What a surprise package Chelsea have been this season. They’re not exactly minnows like Leicester City. But when they were hammered 3-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates in the autumn it looked like Antonio Conte had an awful lot of work to do before he got Chelsea anywhere near the title.
But in a turnaround that must have made José Mourinho at Manchester United feel very jealous, Conte has won the title for Chelsea in just nine months in charge. He changed the formation, personnel and approach of the side and showed what top quality management can bring to a club.
Chelsea smothered all comers with their 3-4-3 formation and were brilliant in attack with Eden Hazard and Diego Costa on top of their games.
Best player: The aforementioned forwards were sensational and Chelsea would not have got anywhere near the title without them. But seldom does a midfielder have so much impact on the game as N’Golo Kante has for Chelsea this season and Leicester City last.
He may start believing the hype before long and this could easily go to his head because he has been an integral part in the last two Premier League title wins.
He is one of the most energetic players TFF has ever seen. But that energy is never wasted and he rarely puts a foot out of place. His passing is excellent, he breaks up play beautifully and drives his team forward at every opportunity. Kante is the signing of the season and Chelsea’s best performer.
Worst Player: Conta has pulled this Chelsea side together brilliantly and there were very few players who didn’t perform. Perhaps the most underwhelming was Michy Batshuayi who never really grasped the nettle after his big money move to Chelsea. Diego Costa was the undoubted number one and Batshuayi has found opportunities difficult to come by. But when he did get game time he didn’t take his opportunities and he’s going to have to step up a lot if he wants to become an important part of the Chelsea squad.