Ranking and Grading Chelsea's Summer Signings on Form This Season
Chelsea haven't enjoyed anywhere near the kind of season everyone thought they would be having.
The reigning Premier League champions have struggled horribly, languishing in the bottom half of the table for the entire campaign.
A big part of that has been a lack of significant investment in the transfer market. While their rivals were strengthening last summer, Chelsea seemed to rest on their laurels.
The Blues made eight signings to strengthen their squad, yet arguably only Pedro was seen as a player who would be challenging for a regular starting place.
Chelsea's other signings were made up of youngsters who have since been shipped out on loan, or players to fill spaces on the bench.
Now that they've had over six months to settle in, how have Chelsea's new players performed?
Join Bleacher Report as we rank and grade Chelsea's summer signings from 2015.
Honorable Mentions (or Dishonorable in Some Cases)
1 of 5
Of the eight signings Chelsea made this summer, four have gone out on loan.
Nathan and Danilo Pantic both joined Vitesse Arnhem, while Michael Hector was sent back to Reading, from whom Chelsea signed him.
That trio of players weren't a part of the Chelsea first-team squad, so it's impossible to rank them in our list.
Papy Djilobodji, who joined late in the transfer window alongside Hector, was a part of Jose Mourinho's squad, however. He played less than a minute for the Blues in the Capital One Cup against Walsall.
The Senegal international was one of the most bizarre—and unexpected—signings for any Premier League club last summer as he arrived completely off the radar after Chelsea had chased John Stones.
He's now on loan at Werder Bremen after failing to make any sort of impression at Stamford Bridge.
4. Radamel Falcao
2 of 5
The less said about Radamel Falcao, the better. He's been a complete disaster at Chelsea.
What frustrates about the Colombian is that his performances have been about par for what we were expecting. At Manchester United last season he failed impress, so quite why Jose Mourinho thought he could restore him back to the Falcao of old is a mystery.
Since his knee injury two years ago, Falcao's career has been in a rapid decline. He's continued on that depressing journey at Chelsea, scoring just once since he joined them on loan from AS Monaco.
Falcao hasn't featured since Halloween, either, after picking up an injury that has seen him miss the best part of four months. All the while, he's taken a place in the squad that could have gone to an up-and-coming young striker.
There was once a time just the prospect of signing of Falcao would excite Chelsea fans. Not anymore.
Grade: F (for failure)
3. Baba Rahman
3 of 5
How are we judging Baba Rahman? If it's as a defender, he'd probably rival Radamel Falcao in terms of his contribution since joining Chelsea.
If we look at what the Ghanaian offers in attack, though, he has looked promising.
The problem for Rahman is that he's been signed as a left-back. By that measure, he needs to desperately improve as a defender otherwise he won't have a future in west London.
Attackers have found the 21-year-old too easy to play against in the 12 appearances he has made this season.
But we have seen the positives. He looks exciting when galloping forward and joining attacks, giving Chelsea a different look in the final third.
With Cesar Azpilicueta ahead of him in the pecking order, that need to improve his defensive attributes is paramount and is where he'll ultimately be judged.
His report card reads that he's showed signs of what's to come, but there's certainly room for improvement.
Grade: C-
2. Pedro
4 of 5
Pedro has blown hot and cold for Chelsea since he joined from Barcelona.
After a remarkable debut away to West Bromwich Albion, in which he seemed to spark Chelsea's season, Pedro has been missing at vital times.
It's meant Chelsea haven't been able to rely on him when Eden Hazard and others have struggled for form.
The 28-year-old remains a class act, though. He's shown that in his most recent performances after scoring twice against Newcastle United in a 5-1 victory before a solid performance against Paris Saint-Germain.
The feeling is that the Spain international is still adjusting to English football, and he hasn't been helped by the upheaval we've seen at Stamford Bridge.
If he can get close to his best between now and May, Pedro will play a big role in Chelsea's season as they fight for the Champions League and FA Cup.
Grade: C
1. Asmir Begovic
5 of 5
Without doubt, Asmir Begovic has been the success story of Chelsea's transfer activity last summer.
When Thibaut Courtois was out injured for three months, Begovic stepped in and looked like a No. 1. Not for a moment did he look out of place or like he didn't belong.
Losing Petr Cech was a big blow to Chelsea. Not only did they say goodbye to a club legend last summer, but they lost an exceptionally talented goalkeeper.
It was all done in the name of progress, however, with Courtois chosen over Cech in the hope that he'll be the club's first choice for many years to come.
Begovic isn't in the same category as Cech when it comes to his ability, but it doesn't mean Chelsea aren't as strong as they would like to be with their goalkeepers.
The 28-year-old has shown this season that he is much more than a back-up goalkeeper. It's just a shame for him that he has such a talented player in front of him as he would be playing every week for Chelsea, without doubt.
The former Stoke City goalkeeper deputised expertly for Courtois, and Chelsea know they can rely on him.
Grade: A
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
