Chelsea have signed some incredible players over the years and as this summer transfer window rolls on, a look at some of the best from the past…
With so many superb transfers in Cheslea’s history, who ranks as the number 1? (Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea are once again locked in a classic summer transfer window saga as they look to lure Moises Caicedo from the vice grip of Brighton & Hove Albion.
Whilst this summer is proving tricky to land their top target, the Blues have had incredible successes in transfer windows gone by with some of the best signings of the Premier League era. With the arrival of Roman Abramovich in 2003, Chelsea became a global force in the transfer market and swept through competition to secure some big money moves.
But it wasn’t always the big money moves that turned out to be the biggest successes. The west London side have picked up plenty of bargains in the past decades who’ve gone on to achieve unrivalled glory with the club.
From raiding London rivals to scooping up continental gems, football.london takes a look at five of the best Chelsea signings and you can have your say by voting for your pick below, or by leaving a comment to tell us who we should have included.
The nominees:
Didier Drogba, 2004-2012 & 2014-2015
Cost – £24millionApps – 381Goals – 164Honours – Premier League 2004/05, 05/06, 09/10, 14/15FA Cup 2006/07, 08/09, 09/10, 11/12League Cup 2004/05, 06/07, 14/15Champions League 2011/12
The ultimate big game player, Didier Drogba terrorised Premier League defences for fun in his Chelsea pomp. As strong as an ox with a shot like a bullhammer, the Ivorian was a true icon in the royal Blue and his trophy haul speaks for itself as one of the Blues’ most decorated players.
These days £24million doesn’t get you much, but in 2004 it was quite the hefty fee and there was a lot of pressure on Drogba to succeed, but he healthily repaid every penny with a truly sensational Chelsea career and deservedly makes the list. He probably would’ve made it for that Champions League final alone. So good they signed him twice.
Frank Lampard, 2001-2014
Cost – £11millionApps – 648Goals – 211Honours – Premier League 2004/05, 05/06, 09/10FA Cup 2006/07, 08/09, 09/10, 11/12League Cup 2004/05, 06/07Champions League 2011/12Europa League 2012/13
“He will go right to the top.” The prophetic words of Lampard’s then manager Harry Redknapp at West Ham, rarely a truer statement has been made. Lampard won it all with Chelsea after joining from London rivals West Ham in 2001.
One of the best midfielders of his generation and possibly all time he is Chelsea’s record goalscorer and 4th highest on the appearances list with an almost endless list of personal triumphs to go with club glory. Hard to look beyond that for an all time signing.
Gianfranco Zola, 1996-2003
Cost – £4.5millionApps – 312Goals – 80Honours – FA Cup 1996/97, 99/00League Cup – 1997/98European Cup Winners Cup – 1997/98UEFA Super Cup – 1998
The diminutive Italian is synonymous with Stamford Bridge and that 90s nostalgia for a bygone era of football. At the forefront of an era where Chelsea were the ultimate cup team, Zola dazzled onlookers and bewildered defences with wizardry with the football at his feet.
One of those players who was a joy to watch and played the game with a beaming smile, Zola is regarded as one of Chelsea’s best ever players. Quite a statement given the level of talent that has graced SW6 over the years.
Eden Hazard, 2012-2019
Cost – £32millionApps – 352Goals – 110Honours – Premier League 2014/15, 16/17FA Cup 2017/18League Cup 2014/15Europa League 2011/12, 18/19
From one wizard to another, Eden Hazard can be regarded as one of the most exciting players of the Premier League era. Joining the reigning European champions comes with its own pressure but Hazard showed none of it as he hit the ground running and brought instant joy to the Stamford Bridge faithful.
His low centre of gravity and almost magnetic close control allowed him to terrorise defenders and score simply sensational goals as he claimed plenty of individual honours alongside his impressive Chelsea trophy haul.
Petr Cech, 2004-2015
Cost – £7millionApps – 494Honours – Premier League 2004/05, 05/06, 09/10, 14/15FA Cup 2006/07, 08/09, 09/10, 11/12League Cup 2004/05, 06/07, 14/15Champions League 2011/12Europa League 2012/13
Not as exciting as the attacking flare on the list, but Petr Cech has a very good shout for being the greatest Premier League goalkeeper of all time. A relative unknown when he signed from Rennes in 2005, he conceded just 15 goals in his first Premier League season with 25 clean sheets, almost unheard of.
He now holds the Premier League record for clean sheets, and given the cost and success he enjoyed in Blue, overcoming plenty of adversity on the way, surely deserves a place on the list.
So, those are the picks to vote for above. As ever, if you disagree please leave a comment below to give your thoughts and if you picked one of the above, let us know why!
Soucre: football.london
