Football news - Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri: Who have been the winners and losers?

Twelve Premier League games in, and the vast majority fans would have taken this situation. Chasing only Manchester City and Liverpool, unbeaten, and already qualified from the Europa League group: Sarri's start at Stamford Bridge, though not entirely flawless, has exceeded most expectations.

But what about the men putting in the hard grind? which players have been winners and losers under Sarri?

Top of the list of winners is undoubtedly Antonio Rudiger. The ever-present German has really come into his own following the switch to four at the back.Last season under Antonio Conte, he never really excelled.

But right now he is growing in stature every game – he is the Blues' most improved player this campaign, and rapidly edging his way up the list of the Premier League's best defenders.

His name is probably the only one that can be placed ahead of Jorginho - the central building block of Sarri's vision, and another ever present. There have been occasional questions over the usefulness of his constant passing: but that is the system, and he is clearly a master at it. He seems unshiftable from the team, while fit.

Eden Hazard is edged into third place by these two, but, on his present trajectory, it is highly likely he will leapfrog both pretty soon; and he is the only non-ever-present in this list of true winners under Sarri.After a season-opening clouded by injury and World Cup fatigue, he has quickly reached a level of form not seen since Chelsea's last title-winning season.

He is clearly among Sarri's most trusted individuals, and, at his best, is an untouchable talent in the Premier League.

There then comes a collection of players who have not always excelled in games, but who have been ever present in the side, by dint of Sarri's pragmatic approach to the tools at hand.

Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta have been mainstays of the defence: though neither has particularly excelled defensively.They, along with N'Golo Kante, are probably not being used to their best strengths right now: but are crucial to the way Chelsea have been set up.

Likewise, new arrival Kepa Arrizabalaga. He has impressed with a few crucial saves, and is yet to put a foot seriously wrong but the Spaniard is also yet to be severely tested.Whatever, he is clearly one for the future, no matter how long Sarri's vision prevails.

Only one other ever present remains, and he is perhaps the biggest enigma in the squad: David Luiz. Equally capable of barnstorming forward movement and leadership, and of hide-behind-the-sofa howlers, Chelsea knew what they were getting when they re-signed the Brazilian.

His age will inevitably mean Chelsea are already looking at ways to replace him, over time.

Top of the list of losers is the man who will clearly not be nailing down that job under Sarri: Andreas Christensen. Yet to play a minute in the Premier League this term: his father has made no secret of his unhappiness and a January move looks likely.

Little more utilised is Gary Cahill. A player who has given so much to the club, and won even more than that but his days at Stamford Bridge look sadly numbered.

Danny Drinkwater, Victor Moses, Davide Zappacosta, Emerson and Cesc Fabregas have barely been given time to justify their squad numbers (though the latter three have had chances in Europe). While Ruben Loftus-Cheek, along with a clutch of other youngsters, looks like he might be better deployed on loan.

And that, in what looks like a largely settled Sarri side, leaves a small number of question marks.

Willian and Pedro look useful as squad options but will that please them?

Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley are fighting over just the one space but who will win?

And Chelsea's biggest unanswered quandary lies up front. Is the answer Alvaro Morata? Is it Olivier Giroud? Or is it someone yet to be acquired by Chelsea? Most would probably reckon on the third of those options.

And on Sarri himself: so far, more or less, so good. There have been frustrations, and the toughest tests lie ahead. But he will doubtless be mostly happy with a start that has defied all but the toughest of critics.