Who are the best Chelsea players of all time? The club was founded in 1905 but most of the club’s success began when billionaire Russian Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.
Best Chelsea Players of All Time
Chelsea’s recent history has seen them become one of the best football clubs in the world and fans have been lucky enough to have seen some scintillating play. Lets take a look at the 10 best Chelsea players of all time.
10. Ashley Cole
Despite coming through the ranks at Arsenal’s youth academy, Ashley Cole isn’t one of Arsenal’s best players of all time but rather one of Chelsea’s greatest ever. He was the complete modern full-back and had blistering pace and was great defensively.
Considered one of the best left-backs in Premier League history, he was a fantastic dribbler who wasn’t afraid to push forward. Cole could get around opposing defenders with ease and whip in dangerous balls.
Cole finished his career with Chelsea after winning a Premier League title, four FA Cups, a League Cup, and the Champions League in 2012.
9. Claude Makelele
Claude Makelele is one of the best Chelsea players of all time and one of the greatest defensive midfielders of his era. He was extremely effective at breaking up opposition attacks and seemed to always be in the right place at the right time.
Makelele pioneered the modern defensive midfield role and allowed other Chelsea greats the freedom to play forward due to his elite defensive abilities. He won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and the League Cup twice during his time at Stamford Bridge.
8. Eden Hazard
Arriving from French club Lille in 2012, a 21-year old Eden Hazard joined Chelsea as one of the most promising young talents in Europe and he lived up to those expectations.
Hazard quickly became one of the best attacking players in the world, with insane dribbling skills, great technique and clinical finishing. He helped guide the club to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, one League Cup and two Europa League titles.
Chelsea were lucky to witness 26,956 minutes of Hazard on the pitch for the club during seven seasons, returning 110 goals and providing 92 assists. Hazard left for Real Madrid in 2019 as one of the best Chelsea players of all time.
7. Petr Cech
One of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, Petr Cech is one of the best Chelesa players of all time. He had astonishing reflexes, was commanding in his area and was a remarkable shot-stopper.
Cech holds the record for most clean sheets in a Premier League season with 24. He also holds the record for most overall clean sheets with 202. He was a vital part of Chelsea’s most successful period, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League in 2012.
6. Ron Harris
Ron Harris is one of Chelsea’s greatest ever defenders and made an incredible 795 games for Chelsea, a club record. Starting his career in 1961 he was an extremely tough tackler and earned himself the nickname “Chopper”.
A hardworking and physical defender, he built one of the greatest legacies while at the club and was a well respected leader. He was one of Chelsea’s most loyal ever players, sticking with the club despite experiencing two relegations.
Harris won the League Cup in 1965, an FA Cup in 1970, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971.
5. Peter Osgood
Peter Osgood is one of the best Chelesa players of all time. He built himself into a fan favourite and he scored an impressive 150 goals in 380 appearances for the club.
Osgood had an eye for goal, and he had the personality to match which made him very liked. He was able to exploit his physical strength by holding off defenders and creating chances for both himself and teammates.
Alongside Ron Harris, Osgood won a Football League Cup, FA Cup and a EUropean Cup Winners’ Cup.
4. Gianfranco Zola
Not only is Gianfranco Zola one of the best Chelesa players of all time, he’s one of the most iconic players ever for the club with his creativity, flair and skill on show during his seven years at the club.
Zola built a cult-like following with phenomenal technical ability, unreal passing and vision, quick feet and he had an ability to score goals from anywhere, finishing with 80 goals in 312 appearances.
He remains one of Chelsea’s most beloved former players and finished his spell at the club with two FA Cups, a League Cup, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and a UEFA Super Cup.
3. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba is one of the best Premier League strikers of all time and one of the greatest to ever play for Chelsea. He brought a game of amazing physicality, strength and technical ability.
Drogba had a powerful impact and scored 164 goals in 381 appearances for the club. He also had a habit of scoring a lot of those goals during crucial games and at critical times.
In his eight seasons at Chelsea, Drogba won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League in 2012, in which he scored a late equaliser and the winning penalty.
2. John Terry
John Terry is one of the best defenders in Premier League history and one of the best Chelesa players of all time. During a 19-year career at Stamford Bridge, Terry built a reputation for being one of the most commanding centre-backs.
Chelsea’s fearless leader, he often made critical interceptions, was seemingly always in the right position and could also pose a threat up forward on set pieces with a powerful header.
Terry was a fan favourite with his strong commitment to the club, and he won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Europa League and the famous Champions League win in 2012.
1. Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard is the best Chelsea player of all time. The son of former Chelsea player Frank Lampard Sr, he was the ultimate professional and was an inspiring leader.
A box-to-box midfielder, Lampard earned himself the role as club captain for several seasons and he appeared for Chelsea 648 times, scoring 211 goals and providing 150 assists.
Lampard finished as Chelsea’s highest ever goalscorer in history. He could also create opportunities, and was a master at dictating the tempo of games. One of the smartest players ever, he had superb technical ability and had a workrate that never seemed to end.
