Over the last 15 years, Chelsea have become a force to be reckoned with, following the millions that owner Roman Abramovich poured into the club.
Jose Mourinho brought success to the club, winning Premier League titles, while the Blues also landed the much-desired Champions League win in 2012, following the disappointment of losing to Manchester United in 2008.
There have been several world-class, standout players for the London club in recent times, but the five in this list have gone on to become greats in the eyes of Chelsea fans.
5 modern-day greats Chelsea greats
#1 John Terry
The captain and leader of the Chelsea team that won numerous trophies, John Terry was a player who bled blue, having come through the ranks at Chelsea.
Terry made his debut in 1998 before breaking into the Chelsea starting XI two years later. After the arrival of Jose Mourinho, Terry became the captain of Chelsea, and led the team to two back-to-back league titles, before winning three more Premier League titles.
His leadership, rock-solid defending and his attitude of putting his body on the line for the greater good of the team won over the fans. Terry is perhaps the greatest leader in Chelsea’s history.
#2 Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard, the current Chelsea manager, joined the Blues in 2001 from West Ham United, and went on to break numerous records.
Terry’s deputy in the Blues’ incredible team under Jose Mourinho (from 2004 to 2006 specifically), Lampard’s goals and energy from midfield made him a key player for the side.
Lampard has the most goals in Chelsea history (211) and is also fourth in the all-time appearances’ list.
#3 Didier Drogba
Terry was the leader of the defence, Lampard in midfield, and Didier Drogba led the line for Chelsea with aplomb.
The powerful and deadly Ivorian moved to Chelsea from Marseille and hit the ground running, scoring plenty of goals.
Drogba had two spells with Chelsea, scoring 164 goals – the fourth-most in Chelsea history, and won four Premier League titles and one Champions League, as well as several domestic cups.
#4 Petr Cech
Petr Cech was another player who was vital in that Chelsea team of the 2000s, and the goalkeeper broke numerous records with the Blues.
The Czech Republic international joined the Blues from Rennes in 2004, and played in 494 games – the sixth-most in Chelsea’s history. Cech has the record of most clean sheets in Premier League history – 202, with 162 of those with Chelsea.
Cech formed an impenetrable defence with John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho in front of him between 2004 and 2006, one that will go down in history as one of the best backlines of all-time.
#5 Eden Hazard
The last name on this list is a much more recent list – Eden Hazard. The Belgian joined Chelsea from Lille and went on to amass over 350 appearances, scoring 110 goals in all competitions.
The attacker, who was one of the best Premier League players for a few seasons with his pace, dribbling and finishing, helped the Blues to two Premier League titles.
Hazard played a key role for the Belgian side that finished third in the 2018 World Cup, and is now at Real Madrid following his impressive time with Chelsea.
Though the prime years of his career will in all likelihood be spent at the Bernabeu, Hazard will go down as a modern-day Chelsea legend.
