by After much activity in the January transfer window, Chelsea seem to be finally gelling under Graham Potter. With three wins on the way after a disappointing defeat by Tottenham, the Blues have moved into the last eight of the Champions League and are building some momentum. However, some of these signings have played a bigger role than others in the turnaround as Todd Boehly seeks to put his club on the path to silver.
Let’s rank their winter commitments from worst to best through mid-March:
6th FWD, David Fofana (3 games played in all competitions)
Key Dates: TThree shots, two shots on goal
What you should know: Given the Chelsea forward struggles, Fofana should be given more playing time for the remainder of the league season. With Chelsea’s best route to the Champions League next season being to win the tournament, there’s plenty of time for experimentation in the Premier League. Fofana is just 20 and has scored a goal for Chelsea U-21 this week but has only made two league appearances for the Blues so far. It’s a fine balance when Havertz is the forward in the Champions League, so he also needs the majority of his time in the Premier League, but Potter needs to find creative ways to see what he has at Fofana given his summer goals could change by Chelsea.
5th FWD, Noni Madueke (played 4 games in all competitions)
Important statistics: nine acquisitions completed
What you should know: With Madueke only playing a small role for Chelsea so far, it’s hard to see where Madueke fits in for the Blues at the moment. He’s a player with potential, but having so many wingers is a problem here. Madueke is not one to get an extra minute Raham SterlingHakim Ziyech or Christian Pulisic has to make do with just a few minutes.
4. FWD, Mikhail Mudryk (7 games played in all competitions)
Important statistics: One assist, missed two big chances, created four chances
What you should know: The move to the Premier League is a big step for a player like Mudryk who has no previous Big Five league experience. Get his first assist for the club against Leicester CityMudryk has shown that he can make a difference when used in the right places, but Potter needs to figure out where those spots are. Christian Pulisic Entering Chelsea’s game against Dortmund showed Mudryk needs to grow to gain confidence in bigger games, but for now he’s further down the ranks until he’s able to step up.
3. FWD, Joao Felix (8 games played in all competitions)
Key Dates: ONo goal, 78 passes in the last third, 42% shooting accuracy
What you should know: After a rocky start to his Chelsea career, which saw him only receiving a red card on his second spell with the team, Felix missed some time but quickly made up for it by swapping ideas with Kai Havertz over Chelsea’s attack to keep going. Felix is still working to communicate with his team-mates to avoid being sidelined and is someone primed for a breakout for Chelsea. While only on loan to the side, Felix plays as if he wants to be a permanent member of the squad, something Boehly will surely have enough money for in the summer.
2. ABW, Benoit Badiashile (7 games played in all competitions)
Important statistics: Three clean sheets, 22 headed duels won, 23 long passes completed
What you should know: A victim of the Champions League squeeze, Badiashile is a player who would make a huge difference for Chelsea if he could be registered. He was not one of their three signings for the competition. He’s had his nervous moments but the Frenchman will be a key member of that defense for years to come. If Thiago Silva and slow down Kalidou Koulibaly, Badiashile and Wesley Fofana will ensure that the defense does not miss a beat. Badiashile is strong in the air and able to spray the ball forward. He’s being held back because Chelsea don’t have a proper target striker, but if that striker comes in the summer this will look like a completely different side.
1. MID, Enzo Fernandez (8 games played in all competitions)
Important statistics: Two assists, 87.7% passing accuracy, two completed balls, nine interceptions, six possession gains in the attacking third.
What you should know: Outside of Reece James, N’Golo Kante is arguably the most important player for Chelsea as the midfield is too easy to pass without him, which is why the Blues prioritized getting Fernandez at any price required during the January transfer window. Since joining, he’s blended in well, bringing steel to the center of the park and blending offense and defense with ease. Just as Fernandez shows up everywhere for the team, he makes things easier on both defense and offense, while also trying to play a progressive pass up front or shoot when given space. It’s like Fernandez playing chess in such a way that he always thinks two moves ahead of what will happen when he passes the ball to make sure he goes to the best possible spot. Fernandez, who now joins forces with Mateo Kovacic, has established a strong presence in midfield.
