Chelsea 2021/22 season player ratings: Mason Mount 9, Thiago Silva 8, Romelu Lukaku 4

Third place in the Premier League, both domestic finals, and the Club World Cup represent a good season for the Blues

CHELSEA END OF SEASON RATINGS: (Manager) Thomas Tuchel: 9. A Premier League title challenge may have faded amid the relentless pace of Manchester City and Liverpool but third place, the Fifa Club World Cup, and reaching both domestic finals represent a fine campaign. Even more so when he had to operate under government-imposed sanctions, and he led the club during a period of uncertainty with poise and dignity. EPA

(Goalkeepers) Edouard Mendy: 8. Another strong season for the Senegalese. There was a spell midway through the season where Mendy was unbeatable, and while he was guilty of some costly mistakes, most notably against Real Madrid, he is a key player for Chelsea. Getty

Kepa Arrizabalaga: 7. Had his best season yet for Chelsea, deputising effectively while Mendy was on Afcon duty and impressing in the cups, while the Spaniard was superb in the Club World Cup semi-final. But - and it's a rather big but - his League Cup final cameo was disastrous; coming on for the shootout, Kepa didn't get anywhere near Liverpool's penalties before blazing his effort out of the stadium. PA

(Defenders) Antonio Rudiger: 9. Chelsea's player of the season, the German defender was superb throughout, leading from the back with rock solid defensive displays and contributing with some goals. Gut-wrenching for Chelsea fans that he's leaving. Getty

Andreas Christensen: 6. Challenged by Tuchel at the end of the 2020/21 season to stake his claim in the first team but it was another year as a squad player, although played most of Chelsea's Champions League campaign. Had a decent enough season but his form faded after he had clearly decided to leave, and made himself unavailable for the FA Cup final. Getty

Trevoh Chalobah: 7. Had a dream goalscoring Premier League debut and maintained that strong form during the early part of the season. Performances dipped towards the back end of the campaign but the Academy graduate looks set for a big future in the first team. EPA

Malang Sarr: 6. After spending last season on loan at Porto, got his chance in the Chelsea setup after the long-term injury to Ben Chilwell. Largely dependable at left centre-back and wing-back without being spectacular, although had a horror show against Luton in the FA Cup. Getty

Thiago Silva: 8. What's left to say about the ageless Brazilian? Another year older but still as classy as defenders come, the 37-year-old shows no signs of slowing down. Given the impending upheaval to Chelsea's defence this summer, the club will be delighted Silva is staying for another season. Getty

Marcos Alonso: 7. Still defensively suspect when targeted one-on-one by opposition wingers but remained an attacking threat down Chelsea's left flank. Probably played more games than expected following Chilwell's injury and, overall, had a good season. Reuters

Ben Chilwell: 7. Superb for the first three months until a cruciate ligament injury curtailed his season. Once he returns to fitness, the England international will be a major player for Chelsea. EPA

Reece James: 9. How Chelsea missed the England defender during his various injury absences. Often Chelsea's most effective attacking player when at wing-back and solid when deployed in a back three, James was consistently excellent, contributing six goals and 10 assists. Getty

Cesar Azpilicueta: 6. Earned plenty of praise for deflecting attention away from Kai Havertz prior to the German's Club World Cup-winning penalty. But it was generally a season of decline from the captain. Azpilicueta has started to look leggy and was guilty of several individual errors. If he stays, his leadership remains important but his game time will surely decrease next season. PA

(Midfielders) N'Golo Kante: 7. After five exemplary seasons in Chelsea blue, this was the first where Kante was below his brilliant best. Injuries were the key factor and he was a less imposing figure in midfield, particularly during the second half of the season. Still a key player for Tuchel, though. EPA

Jorginho: 7. Did what he does by helping Chelsea retain possession and control midfields but too often the tempo was too slow when the Italian was on the pitch and dictating play. Played well in the FA Cup final, to be fair, but as he enters the final year of his contact, Tuchel will need to decide whether he renews and stays or it's time to move on. AFP

Mateo Kovacic: 8. Once again Chelsea's standout central midfielder and he was sorely missed during a six-week injury and Covid absence. The Croatian provides so much all-round quality to the Blues midfield. Scored their goal of the season, too, with a stunner against Liverpool. EPA

Saul Niguez: 3. Arrived on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid with the intention of adding a new dimension to the Chelsea midfield with his pace, skill, and eye for goal. Instead, Saul barely featured after clearly struggling to adapt to the pace of English football. It's a shame because there's no doubt he's a major talent. Reuters

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 7. Climbed the midfield pecking order this season and rewarded Tuchel with some fine performances, mixed in with some frustratingly quiet displays. There is a nagging sense that there's still much more to come. Reuters

Ross Barkley: 5. Limited to six league appearances and 14 in all competitions, making just four starts, Barkley is nowhere near Tuchel's plans and will likely be heading for the exit this summer. His last contribution looks set to be the final day winner against Watford. Getty

Mason Mount: 9. A player who will always have his detractors, despite a mountain of evidence to support his quality. The England midfielder was Chelsea's best and most consistent attacking threat this season, contributing to 29 goals (13 scored, 16 assisted) across all competitions. One of the first tasks for the new owners should be to tie Mount down to a big, fat long-term contract. PA

(Forwards) Kai Havertz: 7. Another major final winner from the German, this time at the Club World Cup, and he has definitely found a higher and more consistent level than his stop-start debut season. Still, for all his talent, there were a few too many anonymous displays. A top player, though. Getty

Hakim Ziyech: 6. Either the best player on the pitch or a ghost, it was a frustratingly inconsistent season from the Moroccan winger. There was a spell at the start of the year when he scored three games in a row and it appeared the code had been cracked, but he was unable to maintain the form for the rest of the season. Getty

Christian Pulisic: 5. An ankle injury at the start of the season seemed to kill the momentum he built from his superb end to the previous campaign, and the American never really got going. Popped up with some important goals but his contribution was below-par for a player who should have a key attacking role. Getty

Callum Hudson-Odoi: 6. Contributed in parts during the first half of the campaign before an achilles injury ended his season early. Still only 21 and has a lot more to offer in the years to come but will need a run in the first team when he returns to fitness. AFP

Romelu Lukaku: 4. The 'final piece of the jigsaw' felt more like square peg, round hole for most of the season. Lukaku looked like he would run riot on his return to Chelsea after a strong start but a goal drought, followed by injury, followed by an explosive interview saw the Belgian spend more time on the bench than on the pitch. Scored twice in two games to help Chelsea win the Club World Cup, and found some form at the end of the campaign to suggest his best can be rediscovered - if he's still there after the summer. AFP

Timo Werner: 6. The German is a firm fan favourite for his committed displays, and his pace and direct running continued to cause opposition defences problems. Still not enough end product, though, and the goalscoring problems have continued. PA

It was a season quite unlike any other in Chelsea's recent history. Basking in the glow of last year's superb Champions League triumph - achieved five months after Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as manager with the club ninth in the Premier League table - all Chelsea seemingly needed to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool for the title was a proven, prolific goalscorer.

In came Romelu Lukaku, fresh from firing Inter Milan to the Serie A title, for his second spell at Stamford Bridge, ready to prove wrong the doubters and finally stake his claim to be Chelsea's main man, seven years after leaving the club due to a lack of opportunity. The Belgian may have cost a club record £97.5 million ($122.5m) but was considered as close to a guarantee as they come.

And how well it all started for player and club. Lukaku scored four goals in his first four games, slotting seamlessly into Tuchel's system and living up to the widely predicted 'final piece of the jigsaw' claim.

But the good times wouldn't last: Lukaku went 10 games without a goal, spent six weeks sidelined with an ankle injury, and conducted an explosive interview which criticised Tuchel's tactics and expressed a desire to one day return to Inter.

For a while, Chelsea managed to soldier on in the absence of Lukaku and his goals, and sat top of the table after 14 games while making comfortable progress in the Champions League. Yet, even as their title challenge began to falter, Lukaku largely remained sat on the bench, with Kai Havertz preferred to spearhead the attack.

The former Everton and Manchester United striker did make a telling contribution in Chelsea's one major trophy of the season, scoring in both games at the Club World Cup, but his form in Abu Dhabi was not maintained, with just five goals in 17 appearances across all competitions until the end of the season.

Regardless of Lukaku's own contribution, it was a satisfactory season for Chelsea, who finished best of the rest in the Premier League and reached both domestic finals, losing twice to Liverpool on penalties in the League Cup and FA Cup. Their European Cup defence ended in the quarter-finals but not before a rousing fightback against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Chelsea win Club World Cup

Chelsea celebrate winning the Fifa Club World Cup final after defeating Palmeiras at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, February 12, 2022. All images Chris Whiteoak / The National

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta celebrates winning the Fifa Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi.

Kai Havertz scores the winner for Chelsea against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

Chelsea celebrate after Romelu Lukaku scored against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Romelu Lukaku scored Chelsea's opener against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Raphael Veiga of Palmeiras scores from the penalty spot.

Former Chelsea captain John Terry during the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel speaks with Mateo Kovacic.

Palmeiras fans set off a flare during the final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

Chelsea fans during the final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Palmeiras fans at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

However, it was the developments taking place off the pitch for which this season will be best remembered for Chelsea. After 19 years of ownership, and bankrolling the club's most successful era, Roman Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, before the UK government imposed sanctions on the billionaire for his alleged links to Russian president Vladamir Putin.

Those sanctions included severe restrictions on Chelsea's ability to operate, preventing the club from offering new contracts to players, limiting their travel expenses, and blocking ticket sales.

After a long and protracted process, Chelsea will soon have new owners in place, with a consortium led by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly set to complete a £4.25 billion takeover. A busy summer is expected as the new owners take their place in the boardroom and Tuchel and his staff get to work rebuilding a squad losing several first team players.

Before looking ahead to the future and a new era, check out the player ratings from the 2021/22 season in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.