Chelsea have struggled for creativity this season.
From the teams who finished within the top ten this season, the Blues had the second worst goal difference of +6, with only Stoke falling behind them with a dismal -14.
Only two players – Diego Costa and Willian – scored over 10 goals in all competitions, while only the Spaniard was able to register above 10 in the league campaign.
Most worryingly is that Chelsea’s back up strikers managed a meek 9 goals between them in all competitions.
Bertrand Traore scored an impressive 4 given his limited playing time, while Loic Remy got 3, and both Alexandre Pato and Radamel Falcao claimed 1 each.
It may be easy to point the finger at the strikers for the lack of Chelsea’s goal – and while that is without a shadow of a doubt a contributing factor – the lack of quality service has had a huge impact too.
Willian has certainly impressed from wide areas, and in the latter half of the season Cesc Fabregas seemed to begin to rediscover his form from last season.
However, Eden Hazard was a no show until the final few games, Pedro has been disappointing, as has Brazilian midfielder Oscar, and for Nemanja Matic, well, that is another story.
If Chelsea are really to mount a title challenge next season under new man Conte, they will need to bolster their midfield, get the creative juices flowing and feed their forwards as they did last time out.
Our landlord thinks these FIVE could do just that if the Blue’s can get their hands on them this summer …….
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 5 CREATIVE MIDFIELDERS!
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Isco
Having tried to sign the young creative midfielder from Malaga back in 2013, Chelsea were pipped to his signature by Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Some say Isco has failed to live up to his transfer fee and reputation since the move besides his impressive start to his career at the Bernabeu, but the Spaniard is certainly under appreciated in the capital.
He wouldn’t be at the Bridge however.
Youri Tielemans
‘Who?’, said a Chelsea fan in the corner of the Tavern.
Formerly a defensive midfielder at current side Anderlecht, 19-year-old Tielemans has been pushed forward as of late and the results have been marvellous, being described as a ‘phenomenon’ by former Anderlecht and Sweden midfielder Par Zetterberg.
Winning Belgium’s ‘Young Footballer of the Year’ for the past two years running is quite a impressive feat considering the young talent the country has at its disposal.
Andriy Yarmolenko
The Ukrainian winger has surely got to be one of the most under-rated stars of world football currently.
The Dynamo Kiev ace has bagged 113 times for club in 288 appearances, but perhaps more impressively has managed to replicate that form on the International scene, scoring 23 goals in 57 for his country.
Yarmelenko has all but confirmed he will move to the Premier League this summer, and an impressive Euro 2016 could convince the Blue’s he is the man for them.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
You’d be forgiven for not believing that Oxlade-Chamberlain is still only 22 years of age.
The young Englishman seems to have been around forever having made his debut for former club Southampton at 16, and signing for the Gunners only a year later.
The winger has often struggled with injury however, and hence as struggled for consistent form at the Emirates, and indeed for England. With Granit Xhaka having now confirmed his move to the Emirates, the Ox is linked with a move away in search of first team football. When fit, he is a force.
Koke
The 24-year-old Spaniard has had perhaps the best season of his career at Atletico Madrid, helping guide his side to a third placed La Liga finish and a Champions League Final this weekend.
Koke’s brilliant passing and ability to scythe defences open has caused a big stir amongst Europe’s big boys, but however nice it may be, a move to the Bridge is unlikely with the midfielder recently quoted saying: “How can I leave? Why would I want to lose all of this? To be an Atleti player is the best there is.”
