Chelsea’s 2022/2023 Premier League Season, Players Ready To Take Centre Stage.
The 2022/2023 premier league season starts today as Arsenal take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park before Chelsea takes to the pitch for the first time at Goodison park on Saturday afternoon.
The blues last faced the Merseyside outfit on the 1st of May, 2022 losing by a lone Richarlison goal.
With the summer transfer window the blues have had so far and the league starting off this weekend, we take a meticulous look at 3 most prominent players with the prospect to outclass others and shine bright before the spotlight come the ending of May, 2023.
◦ Mason Mount
A player that continues to divide opinion amongst the blues fan-base, former Derby County loanee, Mason Mount has continuously tried to prove doubters wrong with his consistency and the 2022/2023 season is certain to be no difference. In pre-season, Mount played in various positions (Central Midfield, Left Wing, Right wing) showcasing his versatility and willingness to sacrifice himself for the team’s goal.
Since the acquisition of England international Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount has been chosen to play on the left side of attack and the game against Udinese showcased the brewing understanding between himself and Sterling. The Cobham graduate has won the POTS in his two previous senior full seasons at the club and this season might be no exception.
With his competitors for places struggling to get their heads settled on staying or leaving the club, Mount has the early edge by having his full concentration fixed on the season to come. Mason Mount boasts of a very good fitness record and with his numbers improving after a very good campaign last season, Mount is certain to be a front runner for the POTS come the end of May.
◦ N’golo Kante
“He is our Neymar, Mbappe and Messi. He is what Salah is to Liverpool and De Bruyne to Manchester City” said Thomas Tuchel last season.
World Cup winner, N’golo Kante has struggled with fitness and form these past few seasons but that doesn’t take away an atom of his quality as a world class performer. The Frenchman is highly regarded by TT and everyone knows just why. Kante has the ability to win games without getting on the score or assist sheet while also not grabbing any headlines for rough tackles or misbehaviour.
At the age of 30, many have argued that the Frenchman is dwindling in quality but that is not the case if the game against Udinese is anything to go by. Against the Italian outfit in pre-season, Kante bossed the game roaming around as usual and grabbed the first goal after a brilliant strike from outside the penalty area with his weaker left foot. Bar quality goal keeping from Udinese’s goalie on that night, Kante could have gotten himself a brace when he beat his markers brilliantly before unleashing a strike that got parried away by the goalkeeper.
If Kante does remain fit for 80% of the season, he is certain to be in the limelight with astounding performances a certainty if the Frenchman plays at optimal level for most parts of the coming season.
NG as he’s mostly referred to has everything he needs to succeed and TT will be counting on him to make a difference once again.
◦ Raheem Sterling
A player Thomas Tuchel himself pushed massively for, Raheem Sterling’s sole reason he joined Chelsea was to be the undisputed “Star-man” and the England international has just one agenda, TAKE THE LEAD!
Sterling just joined Chelsea this summer for a fee rumoured to be around £47m from Manchester City but he’s already famous within the camp at Chelsea’s Cobhams training centre. The former City winger has taken the initiative to lead Tuchel’s men from the front and with his track record of huge numbers both in terms of goals and assists, Sterling sure has a huge shot at becoming the main figure for the blues. A player with so much ability like Sterling comes with an extra luggage of being ego-centric but that hasn’t been the case with the 27- year old with a partnership seemingly struck with Mount and Harvertz as Chelsea’s preferred attacking unit.
Sterling’s stock is sure to increase if he does lead Chelsea to glory this season and the player himself abhors dreams of one day becoming a recipient of the glorious award; “Ballon d’or”.
Other wildcards options for POTS includes : Mateo Kovaciç, Thiago Silva and Reece James.
Writer’s Choice for POTS : Raheem Sterling
