TCC View: Three biggest winners for Chelsea so far this season, including £22m ace

Chelsea can add another dramatic chapter titled ‘2020/21’ to their already thrilling Premier League novel.

There’s been the excitement of new signings, which have largely led to disappointment.

We’ve witnessed a 17-game unbeaten streak, followed by a managerial replacement.

Don’t forget the European successes and domestic set-backs.

It’s been another topsy turvy season at Stamford Bridge, with plenty of highs and lows.

Here are the three biggest winners of Chelsea’s crazy campaign so far.

This one goes without saying.

Mason Mount has probably been the Blues best player this term, or at least the most consistent.

Nobody in the Chelsea squad has amassed more appearances since the 22-year-old made his senior debut in 2019.

His mature performances have rolled over from last year as he continues to grow both off and on the field.

Mount’s trajectory hit a new high after Frank Lampard named him captain for Chelsea’s FA Cup tie versus Luton Town.

Thomas Tuchel repeated this trick against Sheffield United last weekend, indicating how well regarded he is by both managers.

Of all Chelsea’s shiny new summer recruits, Edouard Mendy has far and away been the most reliable.

Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell make a decent argument, but injuries and Tuchel’s arrival have inflicted them respectively.

Mendy meanwhile hasn’t been affected by the changeover of coaches, nor been struck down by injuries.

The £22m (Sky Sports) that Chelsea forked out to secure him from Rennes last September now looks like an absolute bargain.

His record of 18 clean sheets in 32 matches for the Blues rivals that of legendary goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Although he is someway off gaining similar status, Mendy is certainly on the right pathway to do so.

This is something of a last-minute addition, but one that’s thoroughly deserved.

Many people had written Andreas Christensen off after he was excluded by Lampard.

He fell so far down the pecking order, some questioned if he would ever play for Chelsea again.

Fast forward several months and the Danish international is almost undroppable.

Tuchel was partially forced into selecting Christensen following Silva’s injury against Tottenham Hotspur.

But what a move it turned out to become.

Chelsea have conceded just once since Christensen came back into the fold permanently.

Perhaps the biggest compliment to be paid is that Silva will struggle get back into the team at this rate.

Mateo Kovacic

N’Golo Kante

Antonio Rudiger