Chelsea 2023/24 season review: Top scorers, assists & player of the year

It would be a serious understatement to say that the 2023/24 was a weird old season for Chelsea.

The Blues, under the management of new boss Mauricio Pochettino, threatened to go completely off the rails after another manic summer of spending, only to rally in the final few months to secure a place in next season's Europa League - assuming Manchester City do them a favour and beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

It was also a year that saw one of English football's brightest young talents string together one of the best debuts campaigns on record.

Here's a look back at the rollercoaster ride that was Chelsea's 2023/24 campaign.

Chelsea 2023/24 player of the season

Cole Palmer

Could it be anybody else?

When Chelsea were at their lowest, they could always rely on the sheer brilliance of Cole Palmer to bail them out. With 22 goals in 34 games, he finished behind only Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race, while no player in England's top flight was involved in more goals than Palmer's 33.

Regardless of what the future holds for Chelsea, Palmer proved he must be the focal point.

Honourable mentions: Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea 2023/24 goal of the season

Moises Caicedo vs Bournemouth

Chelsea scored 103 goals across the 2023/24 campaign but it was the penultimate strike from midfielder Moises Caicedo which really stood out from the bunch.

Collecting a hurried clearance just inside his own half, Caicedo took one touch to control the ball before unleashing a gorgeous strike from unbelievable range which dropped perfectly into the back of the Bournemouth net.

It was his first Chelsea goal and Caicedo will do well to score a better one in future.

Honourable mentions: Cole Palmer vs Luton, Enzo Fernandez vs Aston Villa, Noni Madueke vs Leicester, Conor Gallagher vs Aston Villa

Chelsea 2023/24 performance of the season

Chelsea 5-0 West Ham

Chelsea's season got better as the calendar kept turning and they were at the peak of their powers in the 36th game of the Premier League season as they thumped West Ham United 5-0.

With 70% possession, 25 shots on goal and a fluid tactical plan that saw Marc Cucurella inverting into midfield, Chelsea finally looked like they were on to something as they utterly tormented West Ham. Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke all netted before Nicolas Jackson's double secured a statement victory.

There had been glimpses amid the chaos of the early months of the season - putting four past Tottenham and Manchester City was both baffling and beautiful - but this was the point at which Chelsea really started feeling like Chelsea again.

Honourable mentions: Tottenham 1-4 Chelsea, Chelsea 6-0 Everton, Chelsea 4-4 Man City

Chelsea 2023/24 signing of the season

Cole Palmer

Look, it's Cole Palmer. Obviously Cole Palmer was Chelsea's best signing. If you need to know why, just scroll back up.

Instead of waxing lyrical about the Englishman once again, let's use this space to praise one of the most underrated signings of the entire season, Nicolas Jackson. The Senegal international formed a special partnership with Palmer and ended his debut year with 14 Premier League goals to his name. While critics were labelling him a flop, the 22-year-old was busy finishing ahead of Kai Havertz, Darwin Nunez and others in the scoring charts.

Moises Caicedo was also far better than the public narrative may suggest, but that's an argument for another day.

Honourable mentions: Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo, Malo Gusto

Chelsea 2023/24 most improved player

Conor Gallagher

There aren't many candidates for this award as Chelsea's squad was full of new signings, long-term absentees and struggling veterans, but one player who can leave with his head held highest is Conor Gallagher.

Having seen his credentials questioned by the arrivals of Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, Gallagher worked tirelessly to prove to Pochettino that he deserved to stay in the starting lineup, and he did that with real energy and leadership, having worn the captain's armband in the absence of both Reece James and Ben Chilwell.

The fact that he could still be sold this summer, perhaps even to a direct rival, is mind-boggling.

Honourable mention: Trevoh Chalobah

Chelsea 2023/24 disappointment of the season

Enzo Fernandez

Injuries were Chelsea's biggest problem this year, but while most players were simply sidelined by their ailments, Enzo Fernandez battled through eight months of a hernia to try and drag Chelsea up the standings.

While the commitment to the cause is admirable, Fernandez looked a shell of himself for the vast majority of the season, and his stock took another bump when his exit from the team just so happened to coincide with Chelsea's perfect end to the campaign.

There's no cause for concern just yet, however. The midfielder has undergone surgery and will be relishing the battle to prove himself again next year.

Dishonourable mentions: Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Reece James

Chelsea 2023/24 most appearances

• Conor Gallagher - 50 (37 Premier League, 6 FA Cup, 7 Carabao Cup)
• Moises Caicedo - 48 (35 Premier League, 6 FA Cup, 7 Carabao Cup)
• Cole Palmer - 45 (33 Premier League, 6 FA Cup, 6 Carabao Cup)
• Axel Disasi - 44 (31 Premier League, 6 FA Cup, 7 Carabao Cup)
• Nicolas Jackson - 44 (35 Premier League, 4 FA Cup, 5 Carabao Cup)

Chelsea 2023/24 top scorers

• Cole Palmer - 25 (22 Premier League, 1 FA Cup, 2 Carabao Cup)
• Nicolas Jackson - 17 (14 Premier League, 2 FA Cup, 1 Carabao Cup)
• Raheem Sterling - 10 (8 Premier League, 1 FA Cup, 1 Carabao Cup)
• Noni Madueke - 8 (5 Premier League, 1 FA Cup, 2 Carabao Cup)
• Conor Gallagher - 7 (5 Premier League, 2 FA Cup)

Chelsea 2023/24 top assisters

• Cole Palmer - 15 (11 Premier League, 2 FA Cup, 2 Carabao Cup)
• Conor Gallagher - 9 (7 Premier League, 2 Carabao Cup)
• Malo Gusto - 9 (6 Premier League, 3 FA Cup)
• Raheem Sterling - 8 (4 Premier League, 3 FA Cup, 1 Carabao Cup)
• Nicolas Jackson - 6 (5 Premier League, 1 FA Cup)

Chelsea 2023/24 record in all competitions

• Premier League - P38, W18, D9, L11, GF 77, GA 63, GD +14, Pts 63, Position 6th
• FA Cup - P6, W4, D1, L1, GF 14, GA 6, semi-finals
• Carabao Cup - P7, W5, L2, GF 12, GA 5, final

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