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Chelsea 2017/18 Awards: Hazard Empty-Handed as Willian, Kante Scoop Honours

Chelsea’s season may not have gone so well, but there was still cause for celebration as the club held their annual awards night on Thursday.

There’s still Newcastle United remaining in what has been a rollercoaster league season, and a computer simulation has put the Blues’ chances of finishing in the top four at a measly 15%. There’s still a chance of clinching some silverware, although Man United represent a significant hurdle in next weekend’s FA Cup final.

So generally, the team has underwhelmed in 2017/18. The more experienced supporters will nonetheless know it could’ve been far worse; it could’ve been tenth place like in 2016.

Most importantly, there still were some great performances among the listless showings of the season, and those were given their due credit.

Chelsea Player of the Year – N’Golo Kante

Kante quite simply never lets you down. Chelsea’s midfield metronome has made 46 appearances across all competitions, dictating play with his tireless running and superb passing. Make that 47 if he features against the Magpies, which he likely will on Sunday.

Chelsea Player of the Year kante

Last season he finished a close second to Eden Hazard for the POTY, but took home the Players’ Player of the Year. This time around, he has been voted the team’s top performer by the fans on whom his amazing consistency and influence in midfield has not been lost.

“I want to thank everyone who voted for me and I want to enjoy this night,” humble Kante said after accepting the award from Antonio Conte.

“We have a very good team, a very good team spirit, I have really enjoyed my two seasons with Chelsea and I hope we can win and do the best things in the future.’

In an intriguing role-reversal, Hazard comes in second this time. That’s despite being the top scorer (16) and top assist-maker (10) in all competitions.

Players’ Player of the Year – Willian

Chelsea’s hardworking Brazilian is the Players’ Player of the Year for the second time in three years. The 29-year-old has netted 13 times in all competitions, and for long periods appeared the ray of hope in a gloomy, demotivated Chelsea side.

Willian was presented with award by Kante and Hazard, the respective POTY and PPOTY award winners from last season.

Young Player of the Year – Andreas Christensen

Young, intelligent, composed Christensen is the obvious winner of this year’s YPOTY. These are just some of the adjectives that have been lavished on the 22-year-old prodigy, who returned to Chelsea this season after a highly successful two-year spell away on loan.

Chelsea Andreas Christensen

The promising Dane has taken his chance with both hands, and is already being touted a future John Terry. His award was (quite fittingly) presented by loan technical coach Eddie Newton. 

“It is a proud moment and I want to thank my team-mates for making it easy and making me look good,” beamed Christensen.

Goal of the Season – Willian

Willian’s second award of the night was the superb goal he scored against Brighton in January. The strike, which came on the back of a slick attacking move involving beautiful one-touches between himself, Hazard and Michy Batshuayi, was the second goal in a huge 4-0 win over the Seagulls.

It was the Brazilian’s first time winning the award, and it was presented by Chelsea great Tore Andre Flo.

“It is easy when you have players like we have to score a goal like that,” said Willian, “and for sure it was a beautiful goal.”

Academy Player of the Season – Reece James

Young Reece James is the brightest new face from Chelsea’s academy and development line-ups. Having been with the Blues since the tender age of six, the versatile defender was skipper as the under-18s clinched a fifth consecutive FA Youth Cup win.

Chelsea Reece James

On the international stage, Reece was a key contributor to England’s Under-19 Euros and Toulon Tournament wins.

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