A persistent theme of this season has been the inconsistency of a majority of Chelsea's players. If you were to ask around to name the contenders for player of the season, only a handful of names could legitimately spring up.
The attack has remained equally profligate and underwhelming, the midfield has looked threadbare at times whilst showing old frailties, whilst the defence has remained the strongest, despite dipping in the closing weeks of the campaign.
When going about rating every Chelsea player in Thomas Tuchel's squad, there are a lot of names who float around the middle, having enough good moments to justify minutes but never enough to make this season a truly memorable one. This is an issue the new ownership group will have to resolve in a busy summer transfer window.
READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel identifies three Chelsea transfer priorities ahead of huge Todd Boehly meeting
So with Chelsea's 63-game season now in the record book, let's break down the player ratings for the 2021/22 season.
Edouard Mendy – 7
Edouard Mendy's start to the season had him on course to be one of the contenders for player of the year, with a flurry of top saves winning Chelsea points early in the year, whilst numbers showcased how he was outperforming expectation.
Soon enough, those numbers dipped, and we saw the Senegal keeper make some mistakes. The defeat to West Ham was a notable one in December, whilst the lack of clean sheets will also focus on who is between the sticks.
But some big saves and his commanding presence still make him Chelsea's first-choice and one of the club's better signings in recent years.
Many will look towards his missed penalty in the Carabao Cup final, but Kepa has done a lot to rebuild his reputation, helping Chelsea progress through both domestic cups with not only penalty saves but some fine stops in open play.
The Spaniard's challenging time at Chelsea might be coming to a close but given where he was in 2020, Kepa can leave with goodwill and the Super Cup shootout to remember.
Bettinelli was always going to be short of chances, always seen as the emergency backup. He will likely stay on and seems a positive figure around Cobham.
Antonio Rudiger - 8
The German has enjoyed his best season in blue, which coincides with his last as he departs for Real Madrid. He was a talismanic presence at the back who managed to balance his aggression with his defensive quality to create a trusted figure for Tuchel.
Rudiger will be fondly remembered by supporters, and replacing his character will be a steep task for the club.
Marcos Alonso - 4
Another name who is likely off this summer is Alonso, feels like a figure who has just been around Chelsea too long and is a signal of why the squad needs revamping. Alonso has always done Alonso things, scoring a nice volley every ten games, but those good performances are usually followed by weeks of mediocre or poor outings.
The supposed falling out with Tuchel – which the club have denied – only adds to a list of incidents that paint the picture of a character who hasn't always acted in the most professional manner.
A sad end to what should have been a transformative year for the academy graduate. But Christensen will leave Chelsea with not tons of goodwill from supporters as his contract saga has dragged on. The absences from both finals sparked critique, and his own performances tailed off as Chelsea's did.
Thiago Silva - 8
My personal player of the season based on his excellent displays despite nearing the age of 40. Watching Thiago live gives you a greater appreciation of his defensive mind and unique instincts.
He has been a part of a defence that has dropped focus and consistency in the remaining weeks, but Silva's contract extension is a big relief given the other senior figures leaving.
Trevoh Chalobah - 7
The breakthrough star of the season and one of the biggest surprises too. Chalobah has reached new levels this term and can be proud of his output. Given the expectation of another loan or sale last summer, this year has turned him into a fully-fledged member of Tuchel's squad.
His displays in both cup finals against Liverpool were not only vital for his development but showed why internal solutions can be as shrewd as spending in the market.
Ben Chilwell - 8
What could have been for Chilwell? It was lovely to see his return on Sunday to a great ovation. Based on his performances from only 13 appearances, the standard was pretty high. Particularly based on his individual impact during the best run of the season in October and November, Chilwell's injury majorly hurt the team's rhythm.
Reece James - 8
Like Chilwell, Reece James is an essential player within Tuchel's system. The defender/wingback has started to enjoy the fruits of his creative labour, becoming one of Europe's most productive players in his position.
With five goals and nine assists in under 2000 minutes of Premier League football, James should be in line for a new contract as one of the club's most valuable players.
This is the lowest score I've ever given, one of the club's most reliable players, but it's hard to ignore the severe drop in performances at the back-end of the season. The commitment and integrity of Azpilicueta has never, and will never, be in question. But his age and lack of mobility now seem to be a detriment, with uncharacteristic mistakes creeping in more frequently.
Malang Sarr - 3
For a lot of this season, it looked like Sarr could be framed as a nice surprise, a player destined for loan sticking around and offering a different option when options were limited over winter. But the Arsenal display in particular and poor ones since have highlighted a player who looks severely out of his depth.
Jorginho - 6
2021 was the high point of Jorginho's career and, like others, started the season strongly. But a mixture of fatigue and limitations that have always been in his game has further highlighted why the centre of midfield needs a revamp. This might be the Italian's last season with his contract up in 2023, and given his age, it is hard to feel like Chelsea can extract more from the midfielder.
N'Golo Kante - 6
Given the high, high standards Kante set in the Champions League last season, the number of injuries and his own performances dipping have led to a lower score. Tuchel has stressed how vital the French midfielder still is, but his growing fitness issues and lack of availability feel too extensive to pass off as bad luck anymore.
Mateo Kovacic - 7
Arguably Chelsea's most improved player this season, the Croatian has been the standout midfielder this term, adding energy and decisiveness to an area that has lacked it. This has been his strongest season in Blue that has unfortunately been disrupted by injury, but he should go into the summer feeling confident.
Given where Loftus-Cheek was after that Fulham loan, remaining a Chelsea player and even threatening to revitalise his career at points should be seen as a step forward. Though Loftus-Cheek has still been a part of some chaotic displays where his defensive weaknesses have been exposed, still leaving a question over where he sits heading into the summer.
Saul Niguez - 3
A deadline day move that was supposed to offer a fresh midfield option for Tuchel, the loan from Atletico Madrid has been a failure. Some truly horrendous early showings put him on the back foot early, and despite some competent showings since, the lack of trust from Tuchel has been revealing.
Ross Barkley - 4
The scorer of the last goal of the season on his 100th appearance. Another name who briefly flirted with a shocking revival under Tuchel, only to disappear back onto the fringes. This should be it for Barkley, who will be one of several names sold years too late.
Mason Mount - 8
Voted player of the season for the second year running, Mason Mount continues to be one of Chelsea's vital figures, the only one in the attacking third who has been able to retain their place and justify trust.
Mount is key to Tuchel, and the numbers showcase an improvement creatively and in front of goal. Like James, a highly valuable player whose future should be secured this summer.
Romelu Lukaku - 5
The record-breaking signing failed to deliver the transformative impact his early weeks promised. Where do we start? The awkward integration, the Sky Italia interview, the seven-touch display, the bad mood around him. Lukaku ironically still ends as Chelsea's top scorer in all competitions, but based on the hopes of his arrival, there's no hiding from the fact this season has been a letdown for the Belgian.
Pulisic managed to stay fit for a majority of the season, something that is a step in the right direction, but we still leave the campaign speculating on his quality. It still feels like the American is miscast as a deep, wide playmaker who has always shown attributes as a finisher inside the box. But given murmurs of his discontent, have we seen the last of Captain America in a Chelsea shirt?
Timo Werner - 4
Werner briefly elevates his season rating with his short revival in April but little about this season can justify keeping him should a good offer from the Bundesliga arise. Werner has looked limited and out of his depth during large spells of this season, even with continued support from fans.
His technical issues have been more exposed, and his minutes have been less. Not starting a Premier League game between mid-December and early March reflected the lack of trust for the forward during a long spell when Chelsea's attack looked pretty blunt.
The winger finally got a run in his favoured role on the left of Chelsea's attack during the strongest run of the season. The high point was his goal against Juventus, which felt euphoric, but his injury issues and drop in form leave him in a very similar situation to last summer. With only two years left on his deal, the time for a more honest conversation over Hudson-Odoi has to happen. How long can the club and player wait for this situation to radically change?
Hakim Ziyech - 6
Up until Christmas Hakim Ziyech looked like a player sleepwalking to an exit, performing poorly and regularly on the bench. But his form in the early part of 2022 was improved, scoring in three consecutive league games against Brighton, Spurs and Crystal Palace. His guile and flair are clear, but his suitability to the league and Tuchel still loom over his future.
Kenedy - 1
Hard to know how to analyse a player with only 130 minutes this season. His assist for Kai Havertz against Watford was positive, but few will bat an eye if he departs this summer. One of many names that justify a rebuild of the squad.
Kai Havertz - 6
This season has been a step forward for Havertz, but it is hard to feel it is anything greater than above average. For months Havertz has benefitted from not being Lukaku, who has drawn soo much scorn from supporters.
But his own displays were pretty unremarkable up until late February when he replaced the Belgian. Then he started scoring and looking like a player grasping the moment and justifying the investment placed on him in 2020. But again, he's dropped off, losing an edge and drifting through games too frequently for a player who should be defining them.
Should Lukaku leave, there is likely to be more attention on Havertz next season, and he cannot wait until after Christmas to get going should he remain a regular starter.
