Chelsea: Complete Player Grades for the 2011-12 Season

London-based English Premier League side Chelsea had a long and bumpy road during the 2011-'12 campaign. A new manager in Andre Villas-Boas and new signings started the season off so brightly for the Blues, but by late February the form had gone, and so had the manager's support from multiple players.

Roman Abramovich had held the axe for some time, but it was finally time for the change to happen. Once again the club were in transition and sinking in the league, but the appointment of former Chelsea defender and assistant manager Roberto Di Matteo turned things around.

The arrival of Di Matteo seemed just what the doctor ordered as the Blues went on a tear to eventually reach the FA Cup final against Liverpool. Despite some late-game heroics by Andy Carroll and spot-on defending from Petr Cech, the Blues held on to lift another FA Cup.

However, the crowning achievement would come later as a two-legged, tactical, ingenious plan to break down Barcelona slowly worked, with Fernando Torres scoring the goal that sent the Blues into the UEFA Champions League final.

Roman Abramovich finally got his penultimate prize with the Champions League trophy, but now that it is all over, we take a look at the overall yearly grades for the Blues' first team.

All statistics provided by: ESPNsoccernet, Sky Sports, EPL Index, Soccerstats.com.

Goalkeepers

Petr Cech

The talented Czech Republic veteran continues to be a strong force of the Blues having started 55 of the club's 63 total matches. Cech made 176 saves during his time between the sticks and managed 21 clear sheets across all competitions. 8/10

Henrique Hilario

Hilario made two starts against West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City, compiling eight saves and two victories having allowed only one goal per match. 6/10

Ross Turnbull

The 27-year-old English keeper suffered as a whipping boy to Liverpool in the match following the Blues' FA Cup final victory over the Reds, when the Anfield crowd saw a 4-1 route of the title holders.

In total, Turnbull made five appearances, collecting 17 saves and inheriting a clear sheet from Cech in September against Fulham. Other than that, he allowed in a total of eight goals. 5/10

Defenders

Ashley Cole

Once again the 31-year-old England international proved why he is the best back in the EPL and one of the top in Europe. With more appearances than any Chelsea defender at a total of 48, Cole was equally strong in attack and defense all season. Cole also chipped in with eight assists to his name. 9/10

John Terry

The veteran captain made 43 appearances for the club this season and managed to keep his place in the first team.

However, his age started to show more often towards the end of the season as his body started to let him down seeing him caught out of position on multiple occasions. The addition of seven goals and two assists helped to prove he is still worth his salt. 7/10

Branislav Ivanovic

The 28-year-old Serbian defender stepped up this season and became one of the club's most reliable fullbacks and stand-in central defenders on the squad. A total of 42 starts and three substitute appearances for the Blues plus an additional six goals and two assists provided a great offensive return for the club as well. 8/10

Jose Bosingwa

Portuguese defender Jose Bowingwa is a portrait of inconsistency. Some times his skills are the best you will see, but the majority of the time he is lacking top class and quality.

Thirty-one starts and seven appearances off the bench saw Bosingwa add a single goal and two assists. 6/10

David Luiz

Young, versatile and full of confidence and flair, Brazilian defender David Luiz is a talent ripe for an impressive career at Stamford Bridge. His age causes a lack of focus at times, while his Brazilian attacking spirit at times will see him drawn out of position.

A record of 34 starts and three substitute appearances this past season while adding three goals and three assists prove he is right in line with the Blues' attacking tradition from the back. 6/10

Gary Cahill

Having joined in January, Cahill took a little time to settle in London, but once he started to get comfortable with his new club and teammates, his skill started to shine. Cahill definitely has a great future ahead of him in partnership with John Terry and eventually David Luiz.

The England international made 16 starts and three substitute showings scoring two goals for the club. 7/10

Ryan Bertrand

English youngster Bertrand made 13 starts and two substitute appearances of the club, providing one assist to the attack. The 22-year-old defender has a load of potential to be great but could spend some more time on loan before making his first team debut. 5/10

Paulo Ferreira

Veteran Portuguese defender Ferreira turned 33 years old in January but has already been treated like an old guy since last season. Now only a bit-part role player, Ferreira made just nine total appearances for the club. 5/10

Defensive Midfielders

Oriol Romeu

The young player that Andre Villas-Boas brought in from Barcelona looked to impress early on and shows much promise, although he is still adapting to the pace of the English game. Romeu made 16 starts and seven substitute appearances for the Blues and looks to be a great talent for the future. 7/10

John Mikel Obi

Although the Nigerian midfielder is only 25, he at times plays like he is a worn-out veteran. His sloppy displays and lack of discipline this season managed to make many people forget about anything he did for the positive.

With an appearance record of 26 starts and 11 substitutions, he is only a role player in the current system. 5/10

Michael Essien

Once by far the most dynamic holding midfield in England and arguably in all of Europe, injuries have obviously taken their tole on the 29-year-old Ghanaian in the last two seasons. Only 11 starts and eight substitution appearances prove that he was low on form all season.

Essien needs a full summer of training and recovery to try and get back to his top level. 5/10

Central and Attacking Midfielders

Frank Lampard

The soon to be 34-year-old midfielder turned back the clock for another season this year as he was the joint top English Premier League scorer for Chelsea with 11 goals. In total, Lampard made 49 total appearances for the Blues and secured the club's golden boot for the season with 16 goals in all competitions. 8/10

Ramires

Brazilian international Ramires stepped up greatly this past season and proved that he is set for a strong career in Chelsea Blue. He is not afraid to work hard and bust a gut if it is needed.

Although he does not always have a huge passing range, he more than makes up for it with his efforts going both ways. With 46 starts and single substitute appearances, Chef Ramsey scored 12 goals and chipped in five assists. 8/10

Raul Meireles

The short-fused Portuguese central attacker is known for his toughness on the ball and is not one to give up the cause.

Since joining from Liverpool, Meireles has come to make 41 starts and eight appearances, providing six goals and seven assists, and looks set to continue making his presence felt at the Bridge. 7/10

Wingers and Wide Players

Juan Mata

The 24-year-old Spanish international proved to be a deft signing by Andre Villas-Boas as the new boy came in to lead the club with 13 assists in the English Premier League and an addition seven in all competitions.

Mata had a dip in form during the later half of the season, but he is none the less tipped for greatness in London. 9/10

Florent Malouda

The Frenchman was the final signing of the Jose Mourinho era in 2007 and has been a great steward of the club since his arrival. However, at the age of 32, he may see his playing time decrease as the club are looking to move towards youth. 6/10

Salomon Kalou

Although he has already confirmed that he is leaving the club at the end of June, Ivory Coast winger Salomon Kalou was a top choice under Roberto Di Matteo.

Only 16 starts and 10 substitution appearances were given to the player in his final season, and the 26-year-old is now looking to find the next chapter in his career after finishing his Chelsea career on a massive high. 6/10

Forwards

Fernando Torres

The £50 million man was tipped to have a breakout season after taking time to settle into life in London. He started the season strong under Andre Villas-Boas, but in the middle of the season saw an all-too-familiar lack of focus from Torres, until the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo.

With 32 starts and 17 substitute appearances it was expected that Torres would provide much more than only 11 goals and 12 assists. 6/10

Didier Drogba

The 34-year-old Ivorian was left wanting for playing time under Andre Villas-Boas, but the appointment of RDM saw Drogs come back to life. A combined appearance record of 35 matches saw Drogba score 13 goals and provide four assists. 7/10

Daniel Sturridge

The 22-year-old English man is without a doubt one of the biggest future talents of both England and Chelsea. Sturridge was the joint top scorer for the Blues in the EPL with 11 domestically and raised his total to 13 goals and eight assists from all competitions. 8/10