There is little positive to reflect upon from Chelsea's season. Finishing 12th in the Premier League was not thought to be on the cards even if a degree of transition was expected and neither was having four different figures in charge of matches over the course of the season.
Nevertheless, as summer settles in comes the opportunity to reflect and with that, vote for a player of the year. In truth, it was difficult to make four nominations. Few players escaped unscathed from a year where Chelsea were denied any form of success before April was out.
From the off, there was a standout candidate however. A player who in many ways, you would expect Chelsea to be moving on from but securing his future quickly became a priority.
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Sometimes I refuse to believe that Thiago Silva is 38. His ability to play at the highest level completely belies his age while his decision-making and timing make you wonder if he has even more experience than he does.
The former AC Milan and PSG star was a key part of Chelsea having one of the best defensive records in the league in the early stages of the season. Mistakes were quickly erased by moments of quality, acrobatics off of the line and any immediate drop-off of his teammates when he was not present.
The Brazilian veteran could even show a turn of pace, though whether his teammates believed such actions were worth it given the steely stare Silva would produce in the aftermath is another thing. The free transfer would look offended any time he was forced into such dramatics.
You can listen to Scott Trotter and Bobby Vincent name their Chelsea Player of the Season HERE
Silva, in many ways, was an easy candidate. Despite his age he only played fewer minutes than Kai Havertz and Kepa Arrizabalaga, the latter another nomination in the competition, and probably a worthy winner of any most improved award. Another South American also forced is way into the reckoning, Enzo Fernandez looks a class act but perhaps had too large a task to carry his teammates in the backend of the season.
As the season has come to a close, there's a possibility there is another that is worth of the award, however. A player just 20 years Silva's junior.
I can hear the protests already. 'He has not played enough' the cries are sure to come. However, Lewis Hall may just be the biggest positive to come out of Chelsea's season.
The development squad star has been undaunted every step of the way, taken on set piece responsibilities and gets on with his job and delivers application across every minute when his teammates haven't always reached the same standards. He has faced the very best the Premier League has to offer and only against Liverpool not been among Chelsea's better players.
Chelsea decided to not allow Hall to join England's under-20 World Cup squad. That has proved the correct decision as the youngsters has probably been the Blues' best player in the late games of the season. A goal for himself and someone to finish his impressive deliveries are all that's missing.
With Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella, in addition to the returning loan star Ian Maatsen, Hall has forced himself into the reckoning for Chelsea's first team next season. His impact may not have been as sustained as that of Silva, but he has managed to bring joy to a season with little.
Who is your Chelsea player of the season? Have your say by voting below!
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