8) Asier Del Horno (June 2005, £8m)
Another low-quality full-back, who was left out in the cold following Ashley Cole’s arrival from Arsenal. He made 34 appearances during his only season at the club, and was quickly on the way out after the England international became available.
7) Alexei Smertin (August 2003, £3.45m)
Lacked the quality to play regularly in a Chelsea side that was rapidly changing as the Russian financed their heavy spending. He found himself loaned out to Portsmouth, where he was plunged into a relegation scrap, and never really recovered.
