The 50 best Chelsea players in the Premier League era.
A look at Chelsea‘s top 50 players since the start of the Premier League, with many coming post the Roman Abramovich takeover in 2003, but some other big names making the list as well…
SEE ALSO:
Top 50 Manchester United players of the Premier League era: Rooney, Ronaldo, plus Liverpool & Man City traitors
Top 50 Arsenal players in the Premier League era: Legends Henry & Vieira joined by Chelsea & Man Utd traitors
Top 50 Liverpool players of the Premier League era, featuring Gerrard, Suarez, Torres, Owen & more
50) Salomon Kalou
A reliable squad player for much of his Chelsea career, Salomon Kalou scored his fair share of goals in some big games.
49) Tore Andre Flo
One from the early Premier League days, Tore Andre Flo was one of the Blues’ star players for some time.
48) Alex
A powerful Brazilian defender who scored some real crackers, Alex did well for Chelsea despite plenty of competition for a starting place.
47) Ed de Goey
An important player for Chelsea in the early Premier League years, becoming a real fans’ favourite before eventually losing his place.
46) Dan Petrescu
A classy attack-minded full-back who made a real name for himself with Chelsea, Dan Petrescu was kind of like the Branislav Ivanovic of his time.
45) Loic Remy
Almost the ideal backup striker, Loic Remy scored some important goals when called upon for Chelsea as they won the title last season.
44) Paulo Ferreira
Before fading away completely, Paulo Ferreira initially looked a great signing by Chelsea as he helped the club to two consecutive titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06.
43) Geremi
An energetic and versatile player, Geremi was an important part of Jose Mourinho’s early Blues squads.
42) Daniel Sturridge
Not a player who reached top form at Stamford Bridge, but Daniel Sturridge had his moments in a Chelsea shirt and deserves more of a chance.
41) Willian
Not the most talented player, Willian has still proven his worth to Chelsea with some hardworking displays in their title win last term.
40) Roberto Di Matteo
A commanding midfielder with an eye for goal, Roberto Di Matteo may now be more well remembered for managing Chelsea, but he was also a fine player back in the day.
39) Gianluca Vialli
Another who both played for and managed the west Londoners, Italian striker Gianluca Vialli was a great buy for the club.
38) Graeme Le Saux
An underrated left-back, Graeme Le Saux never put a foot wrong for Chelsea and worked his way into the England squad during his time with the Blues.
37) Samuel Eto’o
Past his peak when he joined, but Samuel Eto’o had some great moments in his single season at Stamford Bridge, including a stunning hat-trick against Manchester United.
36) Fernando Torres
Certainly not worth £50m, but Fernando Torres had some good moments in his Chelsea career, including THAT goal against Barcelona and his strike in the Europa League final.
35) Ruud Gullit
Although he took some time to settle, Ruud Gullit became a hugely important player for Chelsea before also going on to manage them.
34) John Obi Mikel
A real rock for the side down the years, John Obi Mikel may never have quite fulfilled his potential, but he has played his part in no end of success.
33) Mark Hughes
Better known for his time with Manchester United, Mark Hughes was also a big player for Chelsea in the late 90s, with some quality strikes and memorable moments.
32) Dennis Wise
Not the best player in the world by any stretch, but Dennis Wise was a fine captain for Chelsea and helped them to some important trophy wins.
31) Eidur Gudjohnsen
A superb technical player, Eidur Gudjohnsen suffered a little from inconsistency, but made an ideal strike partner for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink with his creativity and unselfishness.
30) Damien Duff
A lively goalscoring winger, Damien Duff made an instant impact at Chelsea, and really shone under Jose Mourinho to help the club to the title in 2004/05.
29) Florent Malouda
Although inconsistent and prone to disappearing in the big games, Florent Malouda was a real class act and reached top form to help the club to the double in 2009/10.
28) Cesar Azpilicueta
Absolutely rock solid at the back, Cesar Azpilicueta is one of the most underrated defenders in world football today.
27) Carlo Cudicini
One of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League for many years, Carlo Cudicini was unlucky to end up losing his place at Chelsea to Petr Cech.
26) Ramires
No longer a regular, but Ramires made a real impression when he first joined Chelsea and has scored some crucial goals, most notably away to Barcelona and against Liverpool in the FA Cup final.
25) Joe Cole
Plagued by injuries throughout his career, Joe Cole still managed a long and successful stay with Chelsea, winning three Premier League titles.
24) Arjen Robben
One of the best young players in the world when he first joined Chelsea, Arjen Robben tore up Premier League defences but was ultimately sold a little soon after some injury problems.
23) Michael Ballack
A world class midfielder, Michael Ballack was a superb signing on a free transfer, even if he was slightly past his peak by the time he arrived in England.
22) Nicolas Anelka
Finishing as Chelsea’s top scorer in 2008/09, Nicolas Anelka proved a great signing for the Blues as he adapted to a new role out wide.
21) Oscar
A classy Brazilian playmaker, Oscar has been terrific since joining Chelsea as a relatively unknown youngster.
20) Nemanja Matic
Probably the best defensive midfielder in the world at the moment, Nemanja Matic has been exceptional in his second spell at the Bridge.
19) Marcel Desailly
One of the great modern defenders, Marcel Desailly was a real coup for Chelsea in the pre-Abramovich era, becoming club captain.
18) Cesc Fabregas
A superb playmaker, Cesc Fabregas made an instant impact when he joined Chelsea last season, putting in some polished midfield displays to help the club to the title.
17) Michael Essien
An absolute powerhouse in the middle of the park, Michael Essien became a real fans’ favourite for his commanding displays and stunning long-range goals.
16) Gary Cahill
One of Chelsea’s best defenders of recent times, Gary Cahill has proven a brilliant signing from Bolton, with other top clubs somehow failing to take notice of his talent as he moved on the cheap.
15) William Gallas
Despite spoiling his reputation by joining rivals Arsenal, William Gallas was one of the best centre-backs in the world for much of his time with Chelsea.
14) Ricardo Carvalho
Another world class defender, Ricardo Carvalho played a crucial role in Chelsea’s early success under Mourinho.
13) Diego Costa
A brilliant striker who looks tailor-made for English football, Diego Costa has proven a massive hit since making the move to Stamford Bridge, scoring 20 goals to help the club to the title last season.
12) Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
With 88 goals in just four seasons, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was one of the best finishers in the Premier League during his time with Chelsea, even if he didn’t win a lot.
11) Juan Mata
One of the most surprising sales by Chelsea in living memory, Juan Mata was the club’s best player for his first two seasons, showing himself to be a world class creative player with an eye for some superb solo goals.
10) Claude Makelele
An all-time great in defensive midfield, Claude Makelele was an inspired signing by Chelsea from Real Madrid, who somehow didn’t rate him.
9) Thibaut Courtois
An outstanding goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois is perhaps the best in the world in his position right now and won the title in his first season in England.
8) Eden Hazard
Currently Chelsea’s most talented player, Eden Hazard looks to have a great career ahead of him at the top level as he looks to continue this fine start with the Blues.
7) Petr Cech
Sold to Arsenal this summer, Petr Cech is one of Chelsea’s biggest legends with some world class goalkeeping displays down the years, including penalty-saving heroics in the 2012 Champions League final.
6) Ashley Cole
Perhaps the best full-back England has ever produced, Ashley Cole proved worth the controversy when he joined from rivals Arsenal in 2006.
5) Branislav Ivanovic
A terrific servant to Chelsea, Branislav Ivanovic is the ultimate big-game player with an eye for the odd important goal from the back alongside his rock-solid defensive displays.
4) Gianfranco Zola
A player who will live on in Chelsea fans’ hearts forever, Gianfranco Zola lit up Stamford Bridge with some outstanding performances of flair and class.
3) Frank Lampard
A goal machine from midfield, Frank Lampard did the business year in, year out for Chelsea to win a whole host of trophies and become the club’s all-time top scorer.
2) Didier Drogba
Narrowly ahead of Lampard for his amazing big-game influence, Didier Drogba single-handedly won cup final after cup final for Chelsea, as well as four Premier League titles whilst scoring prolifically and with some unstoppable strikes.
1) John Terry
Captain. Leader. Legend. John Terry may have had some controversial moments in his career, and may not be loved by neutrals, but the Chelsea skipper is undoubtedly one of the best ever players to pull on a Blue shirt with some superbly consistent displays in an entire career spent with the west London giants.
