This season feels like it’s set to be a pivotal one for this Chelsea project.
Enzo Maresca has a season under his belt, the players from last season are that bit more experienced in the Premier League, and they looked unreal in pre-season.
Add to that the impressive signings the club made in the summer, and it’s not unreasonable to expect a genuine title challenge from the West Londoners this year.
There are several players who will play a key role in that challenge, including one who cost them even more than their old transfer target, Xavi Simons.
Chelsea's potential difference-makers this season
It should really go without saying at this point, but so long as he’s fit and available, Cole Palmer will be one of Chelsea’s most important players this season.
After all, in just two years, the Englishman has managed to rack up a simply incredible haul of 43 goals and 29 assists in 98 games.
Another key player for Maresca this year is going to be Trevoh Chalobah.
The defensive stalwart was an important player for the Blues upon his return from Crystal Palace mid-way through last season, but with Levi Colwill now out for most of the campaign, he’s become even more critical to the team.
Fortunately, he’s made an impressive start to the season, with three starts, two clean sheets and a goal to his name.
Finally, the first few games of the season have shown us that, despite still being just 18 years old, Estevao looks ready to play an important role in this team.
He might not start too many games when everyone is fit, but his direct approach means he could be incredibly effective as an impact sub, someone who could terrify settled defences.
Yet, there is another player who has impressed even more this season, someone who could be a serious difference-maker for Chelsea and cost more than Simons did.
The Chelsea star worth more than Simons
While they eventually decided against signing him, it was widely reported that one of the players Chelsea were keenly interested in for much of the summer this year was Simons.
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However, when the Blues made it clear they were no longer interested, Tottenham Hotspur swooped in, paying around £51m plus add-ons to RB Leipzig for the talented Dutchman’s services.
Now, that may well end up being a brilliant deal for the North Londoners, but the Pensioners probably don’t care, as they made a game-changing attacking signing of their own, splashing £60m on Joao Pedro.
So far, it would be fair to say that the World Champions made the right choice in signing the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace, as he has looked like a player worth twice as much.
For example, he scored three goals in three games in the USA, bagged another two in the pre-season friendlies and already has two goals and two assists in three Premier League games.
Moreover, FBref place him in the top 3% of forwards in Europe’s top-five leagues for expected assisted goals, the top 5% for passes into the penalty area and the top 7% for carries, all per 90, which suggests he’s not just getting lucky.
Finally, if we compare his output from last season to that of Spurs’ new star, it becomes quite clear that BlueCo got the better deal.
For example, the “insane dribbler,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 33 appearances, totalling 2299 minutes, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.65 games, or every 114.95 minutes.
In contrast, the former Leipzig gem scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in as many appearances, totalling 2763 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games, or every 145.42 minutes.
Appearances
33
33
Minutes
2299′
2763′
Goals
13
11
Assists
7
8
Goal Involvements per Match
0.60
0.57
Minutes per Goal Involvement
114.95′
145.42′
Ultimately, while Simons may well be a hit for Tottenham, Chelsea look like they have the better and more valuable player in Pedro.