Chelsea FC has been a formidable club for over 100 years, thanks to its remarkable football talents. These players have proven to be pivotal in establishing the club’s legacy. However, some footballers have defined eras and etched their names into the team’s history, making them the greatest Chelsea footballers ever. Here are the kings of Stamford Bridge.
Gianfranco Zola
The first Chelsea legend on this list is Gianfranco Zola. The Italian forward is the true definition of “big things come in small packages.” Despite his small stature, Zola proved to be a suitable addition to the team since joining Chelsea in 1996. Soon enough, with his technical ingenuity, creativity, and flair, he amassed a sizeable amount of supporters.
His game style influenced Chelsea’s play, earning the Blues their first FA Cup title in over two decades in 1997. Six years later, fans voted him as Chelsea’s greatest player ever, making him one of the greatest footballers to ever play at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard
It would be simply madness to compile a list of the greatest Chelsea footballers of all time without mentioning Frank Lampard. On July 1, 2001, Lampard joined Chelsea from West Ham for €16 million. During his 13 years with the Blues, Frank evolved to become one of the most productive and respected midfielders in the history of the Premier League. With 211 goals under his belt, Frank Lampard is Chelsea’s leading scorer of all time. Additionally, he played an undeniable role in clinching one UEFA Champions League cup, three Premier League titles, and four FA cups.
Didier Drogba
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Up next is another fan favorite hailing from Ivory Coast. In 2004, Didier Drogba joined Chelsea and went on to become one of the club’s Greatest’s. Under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho, Drogba thrived and honed his power and goal-scoring skills. The Ivorian striker’s presence on the court struck fear into the hearts of the opposing team’s defenders. Drogba cemented his status as one of the greatest Chelsea footballers during the 2012 UEFA Champions League final. Chelsea was up against Bayern Munich and needed to win a penalty shootout to bring the cup home. Drogba rose to the challenge and scored Chelsea’s equalizing goal and the decisive penalty, earning Chelsea its first Champions League Cup.
John Terry
Not only is John Terry one of the greatest Chelsea footballers ever, but he was also one of the most successful and renowned captains to ever play for the team. After finishing from the club’s youth academy, Terry made his first-team debut in 1998. Terry had a commanding aura that was hard not to notice. Combined with his defense tactics and aerial skills, Terry was an exceptional player. During his tenure as captain, Stamford Bridge added one Champions League Cup, four FA Cups, and five Premier League Cups.
Petr Cech
Indeed, a list of the greatest Chelsea footballers must include a ‘protector of the net,’ and the goalkeeper chosen to grace this list is none other than Petr Cech. He joined the team in 2004 and, in a short time, he became Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper. Cech made several goalkeeping records in his career, including the highest number of clean sheets in a season (24). He is also the fastest goalkeeper to reach 100 clean sheets in just 180 matches.
In his 494 appearances for the club, Petr Cech stopped multiple shots from the opposing team and remained calm even under immense pressure. In 2006, he encountered a life-threatening head injury. However, it didn’t deter him from returning to the soccer pitch with his iconic headpiece. Cech performed amazingly in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final, stopping three crucial penalties from Bayern Munich. In his 11 years at Stamford Bridge, Cech won one Champions League title, four Premier League Cups, and four FA Cups.
Final Thoughts
From the awesome Gianfranco Zola to the unstoppable Frank Lampard, this list honors the players who have written Chelsea’s history. Their passion for the sport, skills, and determination will continue to be a standard for future generations. Their efforts ensure the Blues’ rich legacy endures and reminds fans of the spirit that defines Chelsea.
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