Chelsea’s eventful 2012-13: End-of-season player ratings

Jose Mourinho will inherit a squad that showed their quality despite a mixed season, winning the Europa League and securing a top-three finish. Here’s how we rated Chelsea’s players – and managers – during a highly eventful campaign. 

Petr Cech: 8.5
Consistently excellent and reliable. Looked back to his commanding and consistent best. Made very few errors and barely any glaring gaffes and pulled off some genuine world-class saves at key times. His distribution is also a much under-valued asset and it was no surprise that his smart throw led to the season-defining moment for Fernando Torres against Benfica in the Europa League final. A wonderful goalkeeper and steadying influence whose presence both on and off the pitch had provided much-needed reassurance – even during times of apparent chaos at the club.

Ross Turnbull: 6.5
Chelsea’s stand-in was steady and made one or two crucial saves in the handful of games he played – notably the win over Everton at Goodison Park. Does not inspire confidence but a capable number two when needed on a short-term basis and will be an excellent number three if and when Thibaut Courtois returns from his loan spell in La Liga.

Branislav Ivanovic: 8
Hugely popular and rightly so. As committed and selfless a player as you could wish to see. Powerful, strong in the air and in the tackle and never shirks a challenge. Physically impressive, has boundless energy, is great at getting forward and dangerous in the opposition penalty box. It was fitting he scored the winner in Amsterdam. On the flip side, the Serbian is still prone to worrying lapses in concentration – more so than the much-maligned David Luiz. The two terrible changers against Swansea in the Capital One Cup are testimony to that but there were a fair few other nervy, sloppy moments creeps in when passing from the back. Provides vital flexibility though and, if he can cut these errors out, he would be even better.

Cesar Azpilicueta: 7.5
An uncertain start for the Spaniard but eventually flourished under compatriot Rafael Benitez and ended the season as the first-choice right-back. As you would expect, is comfortable in possession, able to take the ball in tight areas and use it intelligently. Is a smart footballer in both defence and attack and has improved a great deal positionally. Like any Chelsea full-back in the current system, will often find himself exploited, but has shown he can cope.

Ashley Cole: 8
The way he has adjusted his game slightly shows just what an intelligent footballer he is. His pace was often seen as his main asset but those who questioned how good a footballer he was only need to look at his performances to realise he has far more to his game. His positional play has improved immeasurably and, like Cech, his influence as a player and personality is vital. Probably saved at least a dozen goals by covering around his centre-backs and made numerous goalline blocks and clearances. That was down to his experience and fine positional play.

Ryan Bertrand: 6.5
A strange season for a player who promises so much. Looks certain to become Cole’s long-term successor but his chances were limited because of Cole’s continued excellence. Maybe his progress has not been as much as he would have liked but he showed – particularly towards the end of the campaign – he is improving. Expect him to start more regularly next season.

Gary Cahill: 8
The biggest compliment to the England centre-back is the fact that his presence means John Terry’s absence is by no means the disaster it has been in the past. Brings much-needed composure to the defence when playing alongside the more erratic Luiz and Ivanovic. A quality all-round footballer who quickly slipped back in to the team with the minimum of fuss after his injury lay-off. Arguably Chelsea’s best central defender these days.

John Terry: 6.5
An injury-disrupted season that meant, even when he was fit, he struggled to get in to the side regularly and only started 24 games, of which only 11 came in the league. Clearly still cares passionately about the club and it would be foolish to write off a player with his ability and determination, even if his win-at-all costs approach and willingness to put his body on the line seems to have taken its toll. Is at a stage in his career where needs to play more regularly to get the best out of him and, even if that isn’t every game, if he remains clear of injury, there should be enough matches to ensure he gets the chance to do so next season. Still a big influence when he plays.

David Luiz: 8.5
It’s impossible not to adore the Brazilian’s big personality, big hair and wonderful infectious talent. Lazy criticism of his errors is all too easy and although he clearly makes a few and they tend to be obvious, he more than makes up for it. Scores vital (and stunning) goals, is the starting point for so many attacks, breaks up play, reads the game beautifully and needs to play – whether that is in defence or midfield.

Frank Lampard: 8
A stunning record-breaking finale to the season meant it was both a great one personally and a more than decent one for the team. Superb double against Everton, and of course Aston Villa, showed what he is still all about. Covers a ludicrous amount of ground and does so much running to close down and track across the pitch, which is desperately needed in the current side when Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar play. Often sacrificed his own performances for the sake of the team but still has incredible drive and fitness and still managed 15 Premier League goals in a disjointed campaign. It would have been insanity to not offer him a new deal and keep him. Still has so much to offer as a player, and then hopefully as a coach.

Juan Mata: 9.5
Simply a delightful footballer who oozes class and fully deserved his second successive club player of the year accolade and the recognition from his peers in the PFA voting. His influence on the side cannot be underestimated and to his credit Rafael Benitez grasped this very quickly. Impeccable touch, outstanding vision and has the passing range to ensure that he makes full use of that scary ability. A great finisher and, without doubt, the man who makes this Chelsea side tick. A vital component even when quiet and the team are struggling.

Oscar: 7.5
Probably deserves more just for the incredible number of games he played. Maintained a high level of performance throughout but was often outshone by Mata and Hazard even though his workrate was every bit as good as his midfield colleagues. Was a fine season for his first in the Premier League but his final ball too often let him down. Scored some stunning goals, including the majestic finish against Juventus and the sublime effort against Brentford in the FA Cup.

Eden Hazard: 9
A magnificent end to the season and breathtaking beginning. If anything, is even more eye-catching than Mata. Has the pace to complement his quality and adapted to life in England from the off. It’s frightening to think what he could produce with the comfort of a more settled club backdrop and more settled system. A thrilling player whose flair lifts the crowd and who is incredibly unselfish.

Victor Moses: 7.5
Scored crucial goals – particularly in Europe – and made an impact both when starting and coming off the bench. Has blistering pace, a fearless approach, excellent attitude and is surprisingly good in the air. A great option to start and a brilliant one from the bench. Fully justified his purchase and contributed throughout the campaign.

John Obi Mikel: 7
Surely no other Chelsea player – even Torres – divides opinion as much. Showed in one half of football in the FA Cup tie at Old Trafford what he brings to the side. But perhaps needs to adjust more to each individual game and recognise when he needs to quicken the pace, play higher up the pitch or simply release the ball quicker. Has bags of talent, power and quality. Plays with increasing calmness and rarely gives the ball away. A valuable member of the first-team squad and a real team man who allows others to play.

Ramires: 8.5
An awesome athlete whose energy and relentless running is irreplaceable if he is injured. Plays as if every game is his last but sometimes needs a cooler head, both on the ball and when flying into tackles. The Michael Essien of the current set-up, his quality and final pass can let him down at times but a key man who is a massive part of the team and vital to the balance of the side.

Yossi Benayaoun: 5.5
A bit-part player who is past his best but whose obvious technical ability and experience meant he was a more than decent, if not a very popular, option from the bench.

Marko Marin: 5
Used fleetingly and without much success. Clearly has bags of ability and showed glimpses of why he was brought to the club, but a newcomer to the Premier League needs a full pre-season and an injury-free run to acclimatise and gain sharpness. Next season will be the time to judge him.

Fernando Torres: 7.5
When he’s brilliant he’s unplayable but at times he’s more unwatchable than unplayable. The wonderful opening opening goal against Benfica is the Torres Utopia. Still has the look of a man whose class will always shine through and you just know if he is sold for a £20m loss he will come good elsewhere and it’s easy to forget that he still scored 23 goals last season. A fully fit, sharp and focused Torres, playing a system that suits him, will surely still score a shed load of goals next season. Isn’t it worth finding a way to accommodate him? Could Jose Mourinho be the man to do so? The Portuguese struggled to do so with Andriy Shevchenko. But with Mata, Hazard and Oscar providing the service, a confident Torres could yet still prove to be sensational next term.

Demba Ba: 7
Still has work to do to fully convince he is the top-class striker Chelsea need. Leads the line well provides a focal point and has a clear goalscoring instinct. Hs arrival started to show Torres exactly the sort of bust-a-gut runs he should be marking to get in the box. It provided a crucial kick up the backside for the Spaniard and it will be fascinating to see how he fits in and how he performs next season.

The managers

Roberto Di Matteo: 6.5
It’s a shame that a couple of woeful performances towards the end of his short spell in charge linger in the memory. The dismal Champions League defence and some scarily ill-disciplined defensive displays were alarming but Chelsea were still well placed in the league. He deserved better. However, he was clearly never properly backed by the club’s hierarchy and they wasted no time in ditching the Italian as soon as they could. Di Matteo’s Champions League glory of last season made it virtually impossible not to give him the job ‘permanently’. But his role always felt like an interim one long before the phrase was coined for the his successor.

Rafael Benitez: 7.5
A more than decent job, but a pretty fortunate win in Europe’s second-best competition is not the makings of a sensational season. Had to win either a domestic cup or the Europa League to avoid being lambasted, and managed his squad pretty successfully to lift a trophy, and ensure Champions League football next season. Was never going to be popular but gained more respect than most would have thought. Parted on reasonable terms but it was definitely best all round that he moved on. Has left the club in a healthy position.

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