Best Chelsea FC Players of All Time: A Comprehensive List

Chelsea Football Club, also known as the Blues, is one of the most successful clubs in English football history. With a rich history spanning over a century, the club has produced some of the greatest players to grace the game. From legendary figures of the 20th century to icons of the Premier League era, Chelsea has been home to some of the most talented footballers in the world.

The list of best Chelsea FC players of all time is subjective and can vary depending on personal opinions and preferences. However, there are some players who have undoubtedly made a significant impact on the club’s history and are widely regarded as legends. From the likes of Gianfranco Zola and Peter Osgood to Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, Chelsea has had its fair share of greats over the years. In this article, we will explore the best players to have ever donned the blue shirt, their contributions to the club, and their lasting legacy.

Key Takeaways

• Chelsea Football Club has produced some of the greatest football players in history.
• The list of best Chelsea FC players of all time is subjective, but there are some players who are widely regarded as legends.
• The club’s rich history includes legendary figures of the 20th century, icons of the Premier League era, goalkeeping greats, defensive pillars, midfield maestros, and attacking legends.

Legends of the 20th Century

Chelsea FC has had some of the greatest players of all time in the club’s history. In this section, we will take a look at some of the legends of the 20th century who have left a lasting impact on the club and its fans.

Peter Osgood

Peter Osgood, also known as “Ossie,” was a forward who played for Chelsea from 1964 to 1974. He was a fan favorite and is considered one of the best players in the club’s history. Osgood was known for his technical skills, his ability to score goals, and his charismatic personality. He helped Chelsea win the FA Cup in 1970 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971.

Bobby Tambling

Bobby Tambling is another Chelsea legend who played for the club from 1959 to 1970. He is the club’s second-highest scorer of all time, with 202 goals in 370 appearances. Tambling helped Chelsea win the League Cup in 1965, the FA Cup in 1970, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971. He was a versatile player who could play as a forward or a midfielder.

Roy Bentley

Roy Bentley played for Chelsea from 1948 to 1956 and was the club’s captain during their first-ever league championship win in 1955. He was a prolific striker who scored 150 goals in 367 appearances for Chelsea. Bentley was known for his physical strength, his aerial ability, and his leadership skills. He also helped Chelsea win the FA Cup in 1955.

These three players are just a few examples of the many legends who have played for Chelsea FC. Their contributions to the club have helped shape its identity and have made them beloved by fans.

Icons of the Premier League Era

Chelsea Football Club has been home to some of the greatest football players of all time. Over the years, the club has seen some truly iconic players who have left an indelible mark on the history of the Premier League. In this section, we will take a look at some of the most iconic Chelsea players of the Premier League era.

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to have ever played for Chelsea. He is the club’s all-time top scorer with 211 goals in all competitions. Lampard played for Chelsea for 13 years and during that time, he won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League. He was also named the Premier League Player of the Season twice. Lampard was known for his incredible work rate, his ability to score goals from midfield, and his leadership on the pitch. He was a true icon of the Premier League era and will always be remembered as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players.

John Terry

John Terry is another player who is considered to be one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players. Terry played for Chelsea for 19 years and during that time, he won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League. He was also named the Premier League Player of the Season in 2005. Terry was known for his incredible defensive abilities, his leadership on the pitch, and his ability to score important goals. He was a true icon of the Premier League era and will always be remembered as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players.

Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba is one of the most iconic players to have ever played for Chelsea. He played for the club for two spells, first from 2004 to 2012, and then from 2014 to 2015. During his time at Chelsea, Drogba won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League. He was also named the Premier League Player of the Season twice. Drogba was known for his incredible physicality, his ability to score important goals, and his leadership on the pitch. He was a true icon of the Premier League era and will always be remembered as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players.

These three players are just a few examples of the many iconic players who have played for Chelsea over the years. They represent the best of the best and will always be remembered as true legends of the Premier League era.

Goalkeeping Greats

Chelsea FC has had some of the best goalkeepers in the history of football. Here are two of the greatest goalkeepers to ever wear the blue shirt.

Petr Cech

Petr Cech is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Chelsea’s history. He was signed from Rennes in 2004 and immediately made an impact. Cech played a vital role in helping Chelsea win multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League.

Cech’s performances were characterized by his incredible shot-stopping ability, commanding presence in the box, and excellent distribution. He was also renowned for his bravery and willingness to put his body on the line for the team.

During his time at Chelsea, Cech amassed over 300 appearances and kept a staggering 228 clean sheets. He was named Chelsea’s Player of the Year in 2011 and was also included in the PFA Team of the Year on four occasions.

Peter Bonetti

Peter Bonetti, also known as “The Cat,” is a Chelsea legend. He joined the club in 1960 and went on to make over 700 appearances in all competitions. Bonetti played a crucial role in helping Chelsea win their first-ever FA Cup in 1970.

Bonetti was known for his incredible reflexes, agility, and shot-stopping ability. He was also a fearless goalkeeper who was not afraid to come off his line and make crucial saves.

Bonetti’s performances earned him a place in the England squad for the 1966 World Cup. He was also included in the PFA Team of the Year on two occasions.

Both Petr Cech and Peter Bonetti are true legends of Chelsea FC. They will always be remembered for their incredible performances and their contribution to the club’s success over the years.

Defensive Pillars

When it comes to Chelsea’s defensive pillars, there are several players that come to mind. These players have not only been instrumental in keeping the opposition at bay but have also been crucial in building the foundation of the team’s success.

Ron Harris

Ron Harris is a legendary figure in Chelsea’s history, having played for the club for almost two decades. He was known for his tough-tackling style and was often referred to as “Chopper” due to his aggressive playing style. Harris was a vital part of the team that won the FA Cup in 1970 and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971. He is regarded as one of the best defenders to have ever played for Chelsea.

Marcel Desailly

Marcel Desailly was a world-class defender who played for Chelsea between 1998 and 2004. He was instrumental in helping the team win the FA Cup in 2000 and the UEFA Champions League in 2003-04. Desailly was known for his commanding presence on the pitch and his ability to read the game. He was a rock at the back and was feared by opposition attackers.

Cesar Azpilicueta

Cesar Azpilicueta is a modern-day Chelsea legend who has been with the club since 2012. He has played in various positions across the backline and has been a consistent performer throughout his time at the club. Azpilicueta has won several major trophies with Chelsea, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Europa League. He is known for his versatility, leadership, and defensive prowess.

Overall, these three players have made significant contributions to Chelsea’s defensive success over the years. Their presence on the pitch has instilled fear in opposition attackers and has helped the team win multiple trophies. They are true legends of the club and will always be remembered for their contributions to Chelsea’s success.

Midfield Maestros

When it comes to Chelsea’s midfielders, the club has seen some of the best players in the world. Here are some of the most notable midfielders who have graced the pitch at Stamford Bridge.

Gianfranco Zola

Gianfranco Zola is one of the most beloved players in Chelsea’s history. The Italian midfielder played for Chelsea from 1996 to 2003 and was known for his creative flair and technical ability. Zola scored some of the most memorable goals in Chelsea’s history, including a stunning backheel against Norwich City in 2002. He was also a key player in Chelsea’s 1998 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup triumph, scoring a crucial goal in the final against Stuttgart. Zola’s impact on Chelsea was immense, and he is still revered by fans to this day.

Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit is another midfielder who left an indelible mark on Chelsea’s history. The Dutchman joined Chelsea in 1995 and helped the club win the FA Cup in his first season. Gullit was a versatile player who could play in midfield or defense, and his leadership qualities were evident on and off the pitch. He was named Chelsea’s player-manager in 1996 and led the club to their first major trophy in 26 years when they won the FA Cup in 1997. Gullit’s time at Chelsea was relatively short, but his impact was significant.

N’Golo Kante

N’Golo Kante is one of the most important players in Chelsea’s current squad. The French midfielder joined the club in 2016 and has been a key figure in their recent successes. Kante is known for his tireless work rate and his ability to break up opposition attacks. He was instrumental in Chelsea’s Premier League title triumph in 2017 and their UEFA Champions League triumph in 2021. Kante has won numerous individual awards for his performances, including the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in 2017. He is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world and is a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge.

These are just a few of the midfield maestros who have played for Chelsea over the years. Each of these players brought their own unique qualities to the club and helped to shape its history.

Attacking Legends

The attacking players of Chelsea have always been the talk of the town. They have been the ones who have given the fans something to cheer about, and the opposition defenders a tough time on the pitch. Here are some of the attacking legends of Chelsea FC who have left a mark in the history of the club.

Jimmy Greaves

Jimmy Greaves is a name that is synonymous with Chelsea FC. He is considered one of the greatest strikers in the history of English football. Greaves scored an incredible 132 goals in just 169 appearances for Chelsea, which is an astonishing record. He was part of the Chelsea team that won the 1964-65 Football League Cup, and his goalscoring exploits helped Chelsea finish as runners-up in the league twice.

Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard is another player who has etched his name in the history of Chelsea FC. Hazard joined Chelsea in 2012 and spent seven seasons at the club. During his time at Chelsea, he won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and two Europa League titles. Hazard was known for his dribbling skills, and his ability to score crucial goals in big games. He scored 110 goals in 352 appearances for Chelsea and is considered one of the greatest players to have ever played for the club.

Kerry Dixon

Kerry Dixon is one of the most prolific goalscorers in the history of Chelsea FC. He scored 193 goals in 420 appearances for the club, which is a remarkable record. Dixon was part of the Chelsea team that won the Second Division title in 1984-85, and he helped the club finish as runners-up in the First Division twice. Dixon was known for his aerial ability and his clinical finishing in front of goal. He is a true legend of Chelsea FC.

Influential Managers

Chelsea has had its fair share of great managers over the years, but some have left a more significant impact than others. Here are a few of the most influential managers in Chelsea’s history:

Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho is undoubtedly one of the most successful and influential managers in Chelsea’s history. He led the club to its first Premier League title in 50 years in 2005, and then went on to win another two titles in the following two seasons. Mourinho’s tactical prowess, man-management skills, and charisma made him a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge. His impact on the club can still be felt today, as many of the players he brought in during his tenure are still key members of the squad.

Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti is another manager who left a lasting impact on Chelsea. He took over from Guus Hiddink in 2009 and led the club to a Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season. Ancelotti’s calm demeanor and tactical flexibility made him a popular figure among the players and fans alike. He also brought in some key players like Ramires and David Luiz, who went on to become fan favorites.

Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte may have only spent two seasons at Chelsea, but he left a significant impact during his tenure. He led the club to the Premier League title in his first season, playing an exciting brand of football that was a joy to watch. Conte’s tactical acumen and man-management skills helped him get the best out of his players, and he was able to create a winning mentality at the club. His impact on the squad can still be seen today, as many of the players he brought in are still key members of the team.

Overall, these three managers have had a significant impact on Chelsea’s history, and their legacies will be remembered for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are considered the top 10 legends in Chelsea FC’s history?

Chelsea FC has had many legendary players throughout its history, but some of the most notable ones include Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, John Terry, Petr Cech, Gianfranco Zola, Ron Harris, Peter Osgood, Kerry Dixon, Dennis Wise, and Bobby Tambling. These players have all made significant contributions to the club and are remembered fondly by Chelsea FC fans.

Which Chelsea FC player holds the record for most goals scored for the club?

Frank Lampard holds the record for most goals scored for Chelsea FC, with a total of 211 goals in all competitions. Lampard played for Chelsea FC from 2001 to 2014 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in football history.

Who was the standout Chelsea FC player during the last season?

The standout Chelsea FC player during the last season was N’Golo Kante. Kante played a crucial role in Chelsea FC’s success, helping the team win the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final. Kante’s tireless work rate, defensive skills, and ability to control the midfield made him an invaluable asset to the team.

Can you name any iconic footballers who have played for Chelsea FC?

Chelsea FC has had many iconic footballers play for the club over the years. Some of the most notable ones include Gianfranco Zola, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, Eden Hazard, and Michael Essien. These players have all made significant contributions to the club and are remembered fondly by Chelsea FC fans.