Grading the first half of Chelsea’s 2017-18 season, from Azpi to Zappa and every letter in-between

At the start of December, at a somewhat noisy Caffè Nero a few hundred feet from Stamford Bridge, I met the three men known as the London is Blue Podcast. Brandon, Dan, and Nick humored me for a series of videos which Brandon edited into these bite-sized portions that I have now posted on our YouTube channel as well as Facebook page.

But here they all are as well, although you still have to click and watch, which I realize is not the most ideal way to deliver blog content — we’re not pivoting to video, Fox Sport style — but hopefully you’ll indulge me and watch anyway.

A reminder that these were filmed almost exactly a month ago, just before the home game against Atlético Madrid, so some of the details may be off or may not be valid anymore, but I think the overall grades and opinions remain viable and applicable.

Do you agree with our grades?

CONTE:

Grades:
Dan: B+
Nick: B
Dave: A-

GOALKEEPERS:

Grades:
Brandon: A-
Dan: B+
Dave: B

DEFENDERS:

Grades:
Nick: B-
Brandon: B-
Dave: B

MIDFIELDERS (feat. crying baby)

Grades:
Dan: B-
Nick: B-
Dave: C

FORWARDS:

Grades:
Brandon: B
Dan: C
Dave: C+

OVERALL & EXPECTATIONS:

Grades:
Nick: B
Brandon: B
Dave: B