Chelsea lead the way with FIVE nominations for Champions League positional awards

Chelsea earn FIVE nominations for Champions League Player of the Year, with N’Golo Kante, Antonio Rudiger and Co up for the top prize after beating Man City in the final

  • Chelsea beat Manchester City in the final of the Champions League last season 
  • A number of Blues have been nominated for awards split by position 
  • Edouard Mendy, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Antonio Rudiger and N’Golo Kante made the cut among other stars from top European sides

A grand total of five Chelsea players have been nominated for positional awards and Player of the Year from last season’s Champions League.

The Blues were the dark horses of the competition and came through to win it under Thomas Tuchel against Manchester City in the final. 

As is usually the case, the eventual winners have a number of nominees for awards in each area of the pitch. 

Cesar Azpilicueta (centre), Antonio Rudiger (right) and Ruben Dias (left) are the defenders nominated for the the award in their position from last season’s Champions League

The Blues celebrated their triumph in Porto after beating Manchester City last season

The Blues celebrated their triumph in Porto after beating Manchester City last season

Edouard Mendy, who looked so assured after slotting in ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga, made the cut alongside Thibaut Courtois and Ederson. 

In defence, Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger are joined by City’s Ruben Dias. Further up the pitch in midfield there is room for Jorginho and N’Golo Kante with Kevin de Bruyne while in attack, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe are all competing for the prize. 

These accolades were first brought in by UEFA in the 2016/17 season to single out the best player in each position in the Champions League. 

They will be named alongside the UEFA Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year during the group stage draw in Istanbul on August 26. 

Chelsea's N'Golo Kante (centre) and Jorginho (right) are up for the midfielder prize alongside Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne

Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante (centre) and Jorginho (right) are up for the midfielder prize alongside Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne 

Thomas Tuchel turned Chelsea's season around and they ended up lifting the trophy

Thomas Tuchel turned Chelsea’s season around and they ended up lifting the trophy

The Europa League Player of the Year will then be announced on the following day when the draw for that competition is made. 

A composition of the 32 coaches from last season’s Champions League and 55 journalists chosen by the European Sports Media group selected the nominees. 

The managers were forbidden from voting for any players from their own teams. 

Last year, champions Bayern Munich ended up with three of the four players winning the positional awards. 

Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski all scooped prizes while Kevin de Bruyne claimed midfielder of the year.  

(L-R) Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe are three forwards nominated

(L-R) Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe are three forwards nominated