Chelsea's 2024 awards: Best player, most improved & more | OneFootball

Chelsea endured a tumultuous 2024 but there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

Mauricio Pochettino's single season in charge at Stamford Bridge came to a conclusion in May, leaving Chelsea with a vacant managerial position once again.

The Blues opted against a big name and instead appointed Enzo Maresca, who mastermined Leicester City's promotion back to the Premier League. The Italian made a slow start in west London but has since found his feet, with the future looking bright for the two-time European champions.

While supporters will be eager to discover what 2025 will bring, let's take a closer look at Chelsea's 2024.

Best player - Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer was Chelsea's standout performer in 2024 / GLYN KIRK/GettyImages

Not even the most ardent football hipster can deny that Cole Palmer has been Chelsea's shining light in 2024. The Blues were often a one-man team during the first half of the calendar year, with Palmer's ingenuity and brilliance relied upon in each and every outing.

The England international has been a sensation since swapping Manchester for the capital at the beginning of 2023/24, finishing last term as the Premier League's Young Player of the Season. He has the invaluable ability to make the difficult look straightforward, regularly dragging Chelsea to victory with his goals and assists.

Most improved player - Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson made big improvements in the second half of 2024 / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Despite being much-maligned during his first season at Chelsea, Nicolas Jackson still served up 17 goals last term. That tally was marred by consistent and high-profile misses, but the signs were overwhelmingly positive for a young player adapting to life in the world's fiercest division.

Jackson finished last term with four goals in his final five Premier League appearances and continued his stellar goalscoring form at the beginning of Maresca's reign. He produced nine goals in 2024 under the Italian coach and has transformed from an unreliable finisher into a clinical sharpshooter.

Best young player - Levi Colwill

Levi Colwill has an incredibly bright future / Carl Recine/GettyImages

Chelsea have become renowned for almost exclusively recruiting young stars and they now have a squad stacked to the brim with some of Europe's most impressive talents. However, their leading youngster in 2024 was one of their own, with Levi Colwill dazzling for the Blues.

Following an impressive loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion, Colwill swiftly found a starting berth in the Chelsea team under Pochettino, a position he has held comfortably since Maresca was appointed.

The England international has the confidence, athleticism and tactical intelligence of a senior star and has been a steady and impressive presence in the heart of an often changing backline.

Top scorer - Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer was ice cold in front of goal / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

Unsurprisingly, it's Chelsea leading performer who also tops their goalscoring charts. A relentless calendar year saw Palmer produce 29 goals in just 47 appearances for the Blues across all competitions, matching the tally of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and sitting only nine goals behind former Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland.

Palmer's 12 goals in 2024/25 thus far mean that he could yet beat his impressive tally of 25 strikes in 2023/24 as he continues to develop into a truly lethal attacking midfielder.

Best signing - Pedro Neto

Pedro Neto could be an important player in years to come / Vince Mignott/MB Media/GettyImages

None of Chelsea's many signings in 2024 have hit their stride just yet. The majority have struggled to break into a star-studded and now established first team, but there have been positive early signs from their most expensive summer recruit, Pedro Neto.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger has long been admired by Europe's elite, with injuries all that has prevented him from reaching the elite level. Chelsea splashed out £54m over the summer.

Three goals and four assists is not a devastating tally for someone of Neto's quality but the 24-year-old has the potential and raw talent to burst into life in the coming months and years.

Best moment - Late drama against Man Utd

An astonishing comeback / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Chelsea went trophyless in 2024 and endured some rough patches, but there were also some incredibly memorable outings. The Blues have often saved their best for their traditional rivals and were able to produce one of the Premier League's most astonishing comebacks in April.

3-2 down at home to Manchester United in the dying embers at Stamford Bridge, goals from Palmer in the 100th and 101st minute secured an astounding 4-3 victory. It was the highlight of an often hit-and-miss year and a match that will live long in the memory.