Chelsea had a bit of a sticky campaign last year, and after falling away in the new year, the Blues ended up out of the Champions League places for the first time since 2002. An FA Cup victory over Manchester United was enough to save their season, but not Antonio Conte’s job, with the Italian replaced by countryman Maurizio Sarri during pre-season this year.
Sarri inherits a strong squad that was perhaps shackled by the defence driven Antonio Conte last season. The manager will look to make the most out of the attacking talents at his disposal, with a new-look midfield vital in the style of play he brings. RealSport looks at the entire Chelsea squad on FIFA 19 to see what they have an offer.
Team Rating
Chelsea have a 5 star ratings with 84 attack, 85 midfield and 82 defence.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (OVR 83)
Age: 23
Positions: GK
Country: Spain
A high-risk purchase for Chelsea, but judging by his 82 rating aged just 23, the £71.6 million spent on Kepa Arrizabalaga may be worth it if he continues his development. Already a Spanish international, Kepa conceded only 66 goals in 54 games at previous club Athletic Bilbao, making his debut just two years ago.
Cesar Azpilicueta (OVR 86)
Age: 29
Positions: CB
Country: Spain
After shining in a back three for Chelsea, Cesar Azpilicueta finds himself as a centre back on FIFA 19, but expect the solid Spaniard to play at right back under Maurizio Sarri this season. Despite operating in a more defensive position, that didn’t stop Azpilicueta from scoring twice and grabbing a further seven assists for the West London club last term.
Antonio Rudiger (OVR 81)
Age: 25
Positions: CB
Country: Germany
Antonio Rudiger can feel hard done by that his FIFA 19 rating has come down after a decent first season at Stamford Bridge. The German has great athleticism at the back, but it was perhaps his inconsistency and lapses in defence that has seen his overall fall from 82 to 80. He will look to show this season that he is the best central defender at the club.
David Luiz (OVR 83)
Age: 31
Positions: CB
Country: Brazil
Injury and a disagreement with the manager found David Luiz shelved by previous Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, but the arrival of Maurizio Sarri has seen the Brazilian slot straight back in to the first team. The centre back is relaxed on the ball, perhaps sometimes too much, but he will be vital for his manager this season as they look to implement ‘Sarri-ball’ with quick, aggressive passing.
Marcos Alonso (OVR 82)
Age: 27
Positions: LB
Country: Spain
What does Marcos Alonso have to do to get a ratings increase? His overall improved to 82 in the Ratings Refresh, but is it enough for a man who scored eight goals and made the Premier League team of the season last year? Alonso has started the current season brilliantly, being rewarded a call-up to the Spain call-up in September.
N’Golo Kante (OVR 89)
Age: 27
Positions: CDM
Country: France
Now a World Cup winner, you cannot deny that N’Golo Kante is among the best players in the world. Since arriving on British shores in 2015, Kante has won the Premier League twice, claimed an FA Cup and now the greatest trophy in the game, the World Cup. He will operate in a more advanced role in Sarri’s side this season, which could take his game up another notch.
Jorginho (OVR 84)
Age: 26
Positions: CM
Country: Italy
Part of the new recruits, Jorginho has joined Chelsea alongside new manager Maurizio Sarri. The central midfielder knows ‘Sarri-ball’ inside out, and he will lead the forward passing from the base of Chelsea’s midfield. His performances in Italy earned him a call-up to the national team in 2016, having decided to represent the Azzurri rather than his country of birth Brazil.
Mateo Kovacic (OVR 83)
Age: 24
Positions: CM
Country: Croatia
Another new Chelsea boy, Mateo Kovacic moved to Stamford Bridge on loan from Real Madrid. The Croatian was part of the deal that saw Thibaut Courtois move to the Bernabeu, and with a starting spot there for the taking at the Bridge, we may just see Kovacic blossom in the Premier League this year.
Willian (OVR 84)
Age: 30
Positions: RW
Country: Brazil
After a troubled summer in which Barcelona and Manchester United were sniffing around Willian, the Brazilian has stayed at Stamford Bridge to fight for his place. Last year, the right winger lacked consistency, but in a defensively minded Chelsea team, he still bagged 13 assists and 12 goals.
Alvaro Morata (OVR 83)
Age: 25
Positions: ST
Country: Spain
After a tricky first season in English football for Alvaro Morata, it was always going to be interesting to see who Maurizio Sarri would make his first-choice striker. Morata looks to have got the nod, but for a side like Chelsea, he needs to deliver more than 15 goals in a campaign.
Eden Hazard (OVR 91)
Age: 27
Positions: LW
Country: Belgium
We finished with Chelsea’s star man Eden Hazard. Had there been a regular transfer window this summer, the Belgian would have likely been on his way out of Stamford Bridge, but with the Premier League window shutting early, the Blues did not want to risk losing the left winger and not having a replacement. With 17 goals and 13 assists last season, you can see why.
Full Chelsea squad player ratings
Player | Age | Pos | Country | OVR |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eden Hazard | 27 | LW | Belgium | 91 |
N’Golo Kante | 27 | CDM | France | 89 |
Cesar Azpilicueta | 29 | CB | Spain | 86 |
Jorginho | 26 | CM | Italy | 84 |
Cesc Fabregas | 31 | CM | Spain | 84 |
Willian | 30 | RW | Brazil | 84 |
Alvaro Morata | 25 | ST | Spain | 83 |
Kepa Arrizabalaga | 23 | GK | Spain | 83 |
Mateo Kovacic | 24 | CM | Croatia | 83 |
David Luiz | 31 | CB | Brazil | 83 |
Marcos Alonso | 27 | LB | Spain | 82 |
Andreas Christensen | 22 | CB | Denmark | 82 |
Pedro | 31 | RW | Spain | 82 |
Olivier Giroud | 31 | ST | France | 82 |
Gary Cahill | 32 | CB | England | 81 |
Antonio Rudiger | 25 | CB | Germany | 81 |
Davide Zappacosta | 26 | RB | Italy | 79 |
Ross Barkley | 24 | CAM | England | 79 |
Marco van Ginkel | 25 | CM | Holland | 79 |
Danny Drinkwater | 28 | CM | England | 79 |
Victor Moses | 27 | RW | Nigeria | 78 |
Ruben Loftus-Cheek | 22 | CM | England | 77 |
Emerson | 24 | LWB | Italy | 76 |
Willy Caballero | 36 | GK | Argentina | 75 |
Charly Musonda | 21 | RW | Belgium | 75 |
Robert Green | 38 | GK | England | 72 |
Lucas Piazon | 24 | RW | Brazil | 72 |
Callum Hudson-Odoi | 17 | LW | England | 68 |
Fankaty Dabo | 22 | RB | England | 63 |
Ethan Ampadu | 17 | CB | Wales | 63 |