By Dougal Tsakalos – Sports Writer
The 2021-22 premier league season has officially come to an end after a frantic 38 rounds of Football. Some sides exceeded or met expectations that were expected of them while others did not. We continue our Season Gradings Series with Part 2.
Part 1
BURNLEY FC-18TH
A much loved and respected Premier League stint has ended for Burnley after 6 years. Their season started off as usual with a few losses and wins, straggling around the relegation zone as they had in many seasons before. However, this season was slightly different in the fact that there was a big shock in management for the Lancashire club as Sean Dyche was sacked, 8 games before the end of the season in order to “have the best chance of survival” according to Burnley. Ironically enough, they were relegated as a result of that decision as interim manager Michael Jackson could not salvage enough points to stay up, despite only losing three of their last eight games. Their next season will be in the Championship where they will hope to gain promotion to the Premier League once again.
BEST PLAYER: NICK POPE
WORST PLAYER: ERIK PIETERS
BEST SIGNING: MAXWEL CORNET
BEST RESULT: BURNLEY 1-0 TOTTENHAM
WORST RESULT: NORWICH 2-0 BURNLEY
GRADE: D
CHELSEA FC-3RD PLACE
It was a disappointing campaign for the London side, who started off the season as title challengers but ended the season closer to 6th place than 1st. A plethora of injuries to key players including both wingbacks, Reece James and Ben Chilwell, hindered their season massively. It was also not helpful for the club that new marquee signing Romelu Lukaku stated in his first 2 months of being in London that he wanted to go back to his old club, Inter Milan. Despite player and club difficulties, including financial sanctions and a lack of club owner (not including Karim Benzema), Tuchel should be commended on guiding his side to two finals, almost beating the eventual winners of the Champions League and staying consistent for most of the Premier League campaign. Although they did not win a trophy this season and dropped off near the end of the Premier League campaign, still plenty of positives for an improving Chelsea side who hope to challenge in all competitions in the following season.
BEST PLAYER: REECE JAMES
WORST PLAYER: JORGINHO
BEST SIGNING: LUKAKU
BEST RESULT: CHELSEA 7-0 NORWICH
WORST RESULT: BRENTFORD 4-1 CHELSEA
GRADE:C
CRYSTAL PALACE: 12TH PLACE
One of the best seasons in recent memory for Eagles fans, despite a bottom half finish. They now have a development plan and playing style in place for the upcoming season, aided with quality players. These quality players such as, Joachim Anderson, Tyrick Mitchell and Michael Olise have been standouts for Palace with their consistent performances and key attributes that have majorly helped their team in games this season. Manager Patrick Viera will be impressed by their attacking options, but will most likely be looking to improve their defensive attributes, as the Eagles conceded almost as many goals as they scored this campaign. Regardless of the team finish, it has been a very impressive first season for the former Arsenal midfielder who will aim to build on it in the next season.
BEST PLAYER: CONOR GALLAGHER
WORST PLAYER: JORDAN AYEW
BEST SIGNING: MICHAEL OLISE
BEST RESULT: CRYSTAL PALACE 2-0 MAN CITY
WORST RESULT: LIVERPOOL 3-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
GRADE: A
EVERTON FC-16TH PLACE
Such a dismal season for the Toffees, especially since every season they aim for European Football, but were headed to relegation instead in this campaign. Rafa Benitez started the season at the helm for the Merseyside club after Ancelloti’s departure to Real Madrid. He started off the season with good results including an impressive draw at Old Trafford. However, bad results started to flood in and eventually enough was enough and the former Liverpool and Newcastle manager was sacked. In came Frank Lampard, fresh off departing his boyhood club Chelsea the season before. Results were most definitely not consistent but with the help of consistent players such as Jordan Pickford, Anthony Gordon and Richarlison they managed to win important games over the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. They managed to avoid relegation on the second last week of the season, and will be hoping to keep key players for a better spot next season.
BEST PLAYER: RICHARLISON
WORST PLAYER: MICHAEL KEANE
BEST SIGNING: DEMARAI GRAY
BEST RESULT: EVERTON 3-2 CRYSTAL PALACE
WORST RESULT: TOTTENHAM 5-0 EVERTON
GRADE: E
Are these ratings on the mark? Let us know in the comments!
Dougal Tsakalos is a Sports Writer for The Pioneer Australia.
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