Saturday 5 May 2018 07:39, UK
As Chelsea prepare for the visit of Liverpool on Nissan Super Sunday, we have asked Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson to offer their verdict on each club’s signings this season.
The two clubs made a combined total of 14 signings in the summer and January transfer windows, each with varying degrees of success.
While Chelsea have relinquished the Premier League title, Liverpool, boosted by the acquisitions of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, have secured a place in the Champions League final.
Ahead of their meeting on Nissan Super Sunday, Le Tiss and Thommo decide whether this season's signings have been a 'hit' or a 'miss' at their new clubs - but there's a chance for you to have your say, too...
Signed from Real Madrid for a club-record deal which could rise to £70m, Morata's debut season in English football has been a mixed bag. Injuries and poor form have seen the Spain striker in and out of Antonio Conte's team, and his tally of 15 goals in all competitions has not matched expectation.
LE TISS: "15 goals in his first season in England isn't a bad return but I think they will expect more from him next season."
VERDICT: HIT
A key component of Monaco's surprise Ligue 1 title-winning team the season beforehand, Bakayoko has failed to live up to his £40m price tag and often been the go-to scapegoat for Chelsea's underwhelming title defence.
LE TISS: "He hasn't really impressed when I've seen him so they've essentially spent a lot on somebody who isn't better than the players they've sent out on loan."
VERDICT: MISS
Injuries have hampered Drinkwater from reigniting his midfield partnership with former Leicester team-mate N'Golo Kante. Signed for £35m on Deadline Day last summer, the England international has made just 22 appearances for the Blues in all competitions.
LE TISS: "Obviously he had the injury at the start of the season, but I just don't think when they've got a full squad available he's anywhere near the best line-up."
VERDICT: MISS
A mainstay in Conte's starting line-ups since complete his £34m move from Roma, Germany international Rudiger has made 42 appearances and scored three goals in his debut season at Stamford Bridge.
LE TISS: "I think he's done okay for his first season in the Premier League, so assuming he'll continue to improve, I'll give him the benefit of doubt."
VERDICT: HIT (just)
Little was known of Zappacosta when Chelsea completed a reported £23m deal to secure his services, but the former Torino defender has proven to be a reliable addition to Conte's squad, making 36 appearances this season.
LE TISS: "He's done okay when I've seen him, but a hit would be over the top and a miss would be harsh."
VERDICT: MISS/HIT
Replacing Thibaut Courtois as Chelsea No. 1 was never on the cards when the former Manchester City goalkeeper joined on a free transfer last summer, but Caballero has eased the load on the Belgian, with 10 of his 12 appearances coming in cup competitions.
LE TISS: "Again, he's not really played enough to be considered either way. Experienced enough to do a job but hasn't done anything memorable."
VERDICT: MISS/HIT
Fitness issues and injuries have really hampered Barkley since his unexpected £15m January switch from Everton. He's started just one of his three appearances for the Blues, the latest of which came back on January 31.
LE TISS: "It's a big fat miss for him. Obviously the injury hasn't helped him but just three appearances says it all and none of them will stand out in anyone's memory."
VERDICT: MISS
The former Roma wing-back took his time to settle in London following a £17.6m January move, but he has started Chelsea's last three games in Marcos Alonso's absence, really catching the eye at Burnley.
LE TISS: "He's only had a few Premier League starts and a sprinkling of substitute appearances, but from what I have seen of him he looks a decent player, although it is hard to really judge still."
VERDICT: HIT
After initially having to settle for a place on the bench, Giroud forced his way into Conte's thinking with a game-changing two-goal cameo against Southampton before endearing himself to Chelsea's fans with a goal in their FA Cup semi-final win against the same team.
LE TISS: "I think he's done well for them in the limited time on the pitch, although unfortunately three of the four goals he's scored of them have been against Southampton so I'm not a fan!"
VERDICT: HIT (Reluctant)
Le Tiss has had his say, now it's YOUR turn...
Swipe right if you think the Chelsea signing has been a HIT or left for a MISS (app users need to hold down the image before swiping or use the vote buttons below).
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The Egypt winger's second stab at the Premier League has been nothing short of breath-taking, more than justifying the £34.3m transfer fee paid to Roma. 43 goals and recognition with the PFA Player of the Year award speaks for itself.
THOMMO: "He's been an absolute revelation. Beyond the wildest dreams of Liverpool fans or even himself, being in the Champions League final, winning the two biggest awards and being touted as a Ballon d'Or winner. It doesn't get any better."
VERDICT: HIT, HIT, HIT
England international Oxlade-Chamberlain looked to finally be fulfilling his potential with a string of explosive performances for Liverpool. However, the £35m former Arsenal man's of finishing the season strongly before this summer's World Cup were dashed by a serious knee injury.
THOMMO: "After a slow start, he was getting into the way of playing the way Klopp wanted and earnt his place in the side. He's improved dramatically and it's just a shame he's got the injury as I'm pretty sure he'd be in the starting XI v Real Madrid."
VERDICT: HIT
He took his time to get settled on Merseyside after his £10m move from Hull, but in his 27 appearances, Robertson looks ideally suited for the brand of football Jurgen Klopp wants to play.
THOMMO: "I haven't seen many to be taken to the hearts of Liverpool fans like him. He's been a 9/10 every game and his work rate against Manchester City was everything the fans want to see. In a problem position, he's been a revelation."
VERDICT: MASSIVE HIT
The 20-year-old has certainly been eased into the fold at Anfield, starting a handful of his 25 appearances for Liverpool. Having featured just once during his time at Chelsea, though, it's clear Solanke is being nurtured along the right path.
THOMMO: "It is very difficult to say at this stage because he's such a young lad and still learning. To me he's looked ready when he's come on and always looked eager to work hard. From what I've heard from the U23s, he's been willing to do his bit and getting on in the semi-final must've been a dream for him."
VERDICT: HIT
He marked his debut with a Merseyside derby winner and the Netherlands defender has justified his £75m price tag by marshalling a defence which has conceded just 20 goals in the 19 games he's played.
THOMMO: "Pound for pound, he's been a terrific signing. We got £142m for Philippe Coutinho and spent £75m, making a massive statement of intent to put that money down, to enter the league Man City are operating in and put ourselves back in the big time. He has been absolutely terrific, calm, composed, brings authority to the side and helped Dejan Lovren and Loris Karius, making the whole defence play better with his presence. To come from Southampton to Liverpool and into the highest level of a Champions League final is an incredible rise for him."
VERDICT: HIT
Thommo's had his say, now it's YOUR turn...
Swipe right if you think the Liverpool signing has been a HIT or left for a MISS (app users need to hold down the image before swiping or use the vote buttons below).
