A season almost of two halves, muddled and muddied before Christmas then just warming up into spring as the campaign ended.
Nine wins, four draws and just one defeat in their last 15 matches saw Chelsea scrape into Europe.
Mauricio Pochettino eventually shaped a system that looked increasingly fluid across five wins on the trot to finish the term.
In the top four form sides from January, Chelsea now need to consolidate their latent promise.
Here, Nick Purewal assesses their 2023-24 season…
The season in one word
Incoherent.
Star of the show
Cole Palmer. Every inch the Premier League young player of the year with 22 goals and 11 assists.
Biggest let down
Injuries, ravaging the squad throughout the campaign and depriving Chelsea of key men like captain Reece James, defender Wesley Fofana and big-money recruit Christopher Nkunku.
Most improved player
Marc Cucurella, so long a lightning rod for fan criticism, the Spaniard ended up delivering in a role key to Pochettino’s favoured system as an inverted full-back.
Game to remember
Tottenham 1 Chelsea 4: Blues fans will forever relish the bragging rights theatre of puncturing Spurs’ bubble. Nicolas Jackson’s hat-trick wiped away Spurs’ nine-match unbeaten start to the Premier League season.
Game to forget
Chelsea 2 Wolves 4: Manager Pochettino would later admit he feared for his future after this result, citing the aftermath as his lowest point in the season. Thiago Silva’s wife even called for Pochettino’s head on social media.
Rising star
Nicolas Jackson, criticised in many situations for failing to convert chances, the Senegal forward finished the season with 14 goals and five assists in the Premier League.
Manager verdict
Earned the right to a second season at the helm, having appeared to crack the tactical code for this squad. Chelsea’s owners are the crucial judges though, and simply did not agree. Coach and club have parted ways amicably.
Fans’ mood
Underwhelmed, and ranging from ambivalent to sceptical. Pochettino has repeatedly spurned the chance to build a rapport with the Chelsea faithful, leading to an uneasy relationship.
