Top 10 GREATEST CHELSEA PLAYERS OF ALL TIME
Ranking the Top 10 Greatest Chelsea Players of all time
10. Dennis Wise
Position: Midfielder
Nationality: English
Years Active: 1985 - 2006
Teams: Wimbledon, Grebbestads IF (loan), Chelsea, Leicester City, Millwall, Southampton, Coventry City, Swindon Town
Awards: FA Cup 1996-97, 1999-2000, League Cup 1997-98, Charity Shield 2000, UEFA Super Cup 1998
Chelsea Player of the Year 1997-98, 1999-2000, Alan Hardaker Trophy 1998
Dennis Wise joined Chelsea after winning the FA Cup with AFC Wimbledon. He would go on to captain the club three years later and is Chelsea’s second most successful captain winning two FA Cups, a League Cup and a UEFA Cup Winners Cup.
Wise made 445 appearances for Chelsea scoring 76 goals in the process. His leadership skills were essential as the club was starting to recruit more international players to Chelsea and Wise made sure there was perfect harmony in the dressing room.
The arrival of Claudio Ranieri saw Wise be sold in order to lower the age of the Chelsea squad. Despite this, Wise’s contribution to Chelsea F.C. in the 1990s earns him a spot on this list.
9. Ron Harris
Position: Defender
Nationality: English
Years Active: 1962 - 1983
Teams: Chelsea, Brentford
Awards: European Cup Winners’ Cup 1970-71, FA Cup 1969-70, Football League Cup 1964-65, FA Youth Cup
Ron Harris will forever be known as one of Chelsea’s best ever players as he’s played more games than any other player for the club with 195 appearances between 1962 and 1980.
Harris was known for his no-nonsense style of play in an era where sheer grit and determination won you soccer games. He could play anywhere along the back line and got given the nickname ‘Chopper’ due to his hard tackling ability.
He was a fierce competitor and stuck with the club no matter what, from the highs of European glory to the lows of domestic relegation, Harris was there. He spent the majority of his senior career with Chelsea before joining Brentford as a player coach, but he will always be a legend and forever in Chelsea F.C’s history book.
8. Kerry Dixon
Position: Striker
Nationality: English
Years Active: 1979 - 1997
Teams: Chesham United, Dunstable, Reading, Chelsea, Southampton, Luton Town, Millwall, Watford. Doncaster Rovers, Basildon United.
Awards: Second Division 1983 & 1989, Golden Boot 1984
Kerry Dixon joined Chelsea in 1983 when the club were in the Second Division, that season he scored 34 goals and helped Chelsea claim the Second Division title. The next season in the First Division, he won the Golden Boot by scoring 36 goals. That was 70 goals in 101 games for the Blues. He might be the most prolific striker in Chelsea’s history.
Unfortunately for Dixon, he struggled with injury after that season and was unable to recover his goal scoring form, but he finished his Chelsea career scoring 193 goals in 421 appearances.
Dixon makes the list for his early goal scoring form and his contribution to the club, taking them from a team battling relegation in the Second Division, to the top of the First division and a dominant force in English soccer. If he managed to recover better from his injury, we might be talking about Dixon as one of the best Chelsea players of all time.
7. Eden Hazard
Position: Forward
Nationality: Belgium
Years Active: 2007 - 2023
Teams: Lille, Chelsea, Real Madrid
Awards: Premier League 2014-15, 2016-17, FA Cup 2017-18, League Cup 2014-15, UEFA Europa League 2012-13, 2018-19
Belgian Sportsman of the Year 2018, UEFA Europa League Player of the Season 2018-19, FWA Footballer of the Year 2014-15, Premier League Player of the Season 2014-15, PFA Players’ Player of the Year 2014-15, PFA Fans’ Player of the Year 2018-19, Belgium Player of the Year 2017, 2018, 2019, Best Belgian Abroad 2017, 2018, 2019, Chelsea Player of the Year 2013-14, 2014-15, 2016-17, 2018-19, Chelsea Players’ Player of the Year 2014-15, 2018-19, FIFA World Cup Silver Ball 2018, Bravo Award 2011, PFA Young Player of the Year 2013-14, Premier League Player of the Month x2, Premier League Playmaker of the Season 2018-19, Premier League Goal of the Month x2, Chelsea Goal of the Year 2015-16, 2016-17, 2018-19, FIFA FIFPro Mens World XI 2018, 2019, Premier League Team of the Year 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2016-17, UEFA Team of the Year 2017, 2018
Eden Hazard joined Chelsea in 2012 and the Belgian winger cemented himself in the hearts of Chelsea fans after seven years at the club. Known for his electrifying dribbling skills, Hazard captured everyone’s attention, when he had the ball at the feet you couldn’t take your eyes off him.
He quickly adjusted to the fast pace of the Premier League and will forever be remembered for some of the best goals in Chelsea’s history. When Hazard donned the famous blue shirt, many compared him to the likes of Messi and Ronaldo, he was that good.
He had the ability to immobilize a defender with one touch then bury the ball in the back of the net with the next. He was hugely influential in Chelsea’s back-to-back Premier League title wins picking up multiple individual awards along the way.
Hazard scored 110 goals in 352 appearances for Chelsea and sits ninth in the all-time goal scorers list. The former Chelsea player recently announced his retirement from soccer but his contribution to Chelsea will never be forgotten.
6. Petr Cech
Position: Goalkeeper
Nationality: Czech Republic
Years Active: 1991-2019
Teams: Chmel Blsany, Sparta Prague, Rennes, Chelsea, Arsenal
Awards: Premier League 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15, FA Cup 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12, League Cup 2004-05, 2006-07, 2014-15, Community Shield 2005, 2009, UEFA Champions League 2011-12, UEFA Europa League 2012-13
Petr Cech is undoubtedly the greatest Chelsea goalkeeper of all-time. He holds the Chelsea clean sheet record with 24 clean sheets that he set in 2005 and helped Chelsea win back-to-back Premier League titles in the 2004 and 2005 season.
In 2006 he came face to face with death as he suffered a fractured skull after a collision with Stephen Hunt. This led to him wearing the iconic rugby cap that we associate with him. Many Chelsea fans admire his resilience to come back from the injury and keep playing.
Not only did he come back, but he also came back and helped the team win another Premier League title, the Champions League and Europa League. He broke multiple Chelsea player stat records and holds the record for the most Premier League Clean Sheets with 202 and made 494 appearances for Chelsea during his 11-year tenure. He is a legend of the sport and will go down in history as one of the greats.
UEFA European Under 21 Championship Golden Player 2002, UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament 2004, Premier League Golden Glove 2004-05, 2009-10, 2013-14, 2015-16, PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2004-05, 2013-14, Czech Footballer of the Year 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, Czech Golden Ball 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper 2005, Best European Goalkeeper 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, UEFA Best Goalkeeper 2005, 2007, 2008, UEFA Team of the Year 2005, ESM Team if the Year 2004-05, 2005-06, Premier League Player of the Month x1, Chelsea Player of the Year 2011, Premier League Hall of Fame
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5. Gianfranco Zola
Position: Forward
Nationality: Italian
Years Active: 1984 - 2005
Teams: Nuorese, Torres, Napoli, Parma, Chelsea, Cagliari
Awards: FA Cup 1996-97, 1999-2000, League Cup 1997-98, Charity Shield 2000, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup 1997-98, UEFA Super Cup 1998
ESM Team of the Year 1994-95, Premier League Player of the Month x2, FWA Footballer of the Year 1997, Chelsea Player of the Year 1999, 2003, OBE 2004 (Order of the British Empire), Chelsea Centenary XI 2005, English Football Hall of Fame
Chelsea legends come in all sizes, none more diminutive than Gianfranco Zola. Zola joined Chelsea in 1996 after playing over ten years in Italy, . His arrival marked the start of a new era for Chelsea, and he took the league by storm with his mesmerizing dribbling skills. He had the rare combination of flair, creativity, and passion, he was adored by Chelsea fans and introduced an attacking style of football to the club that everyone around the world loved to watch.
He helped Chelsea win four domestic trophies and two European titles. His ability with a ball is something you’d only witness once in a generation; Chelsea fans know how lucky they were to have him at the club. He scored 80 goals in 312 games for the Blues and has provided Chelsea fans with many unforgettable moments that left them gasping in awe. Zola was the first of many Chelsea Italian players that would go on to become legends at the club.
4. Peter Osgood
Position: Striker
Nationality: English
Years Active: 1964 -1979
Teams: Chelsea, Southampton, Norwich City (loan), Philadelphia Fury
Awards: FA Cup 1970, 1976, European Cup Winners’ Cup 1970-71
Osgood was a fan favorite who played for Chelsea in two stints, 1964 -1974 and 1978-1979. Rising up from the youth team, he was known as ‘The King of Stamford Bridge”.
“Ossie” scored in every round of the FA Cup in 1970, helping Chelsea lift the cup and a year later led them to the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Osgood embodied what it meant to be a Chelsea player, his tenacity and determination on and off the pitch won fans over, he never gave up. Chelsea have had many good strikers over the years, none have matched up to Osgood in terms of skill and class on the pitch. He scored 150 goals for The Blues in 380 appearances, a true Chelsea legend.
3. Didier Drogba
Position: Striker
Nationality: Ivory Coast
Years Active: 1998 - 2018
Teams: Le Mans, Guingamp, Marseille, Chelsea, Shanghai Shenhua, Galatasaray, Chelsea, Montreal Impact, Phoenix Rising
Awards: Premier League 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15, FA Cup 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12, League Cup 2004-05, 2006-07, 2014-15, Community Shield 2005, 2009, UEFA Champions League 2011-12
Chelsea Players’ Player of the Year 2007, Chelsea Player of the Year 2010, ESM Team of the Year 2006-07, FIFPro World XI 2007, FWA Trubute Award 2015, Golden Foot 2013, GQ Sportsman of the Year 2012, Ivory Coast Player of the Year 2006, 2007, 2012, Alan Hardaker Trophy 2007, Barclays Spirti of the Game Award 2015, BBC African Footballer of the Year 2009, Africa Cup of Nations Top Scorer 2012, Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament 2006, 2008, 2012, Premier League Golden Boot 2006-07, 2009-10, Premier League Most Assists 2005-06, PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2006-07, 2009-10, UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match 2012, UEFA Cup Top Scorer 2009-04, UEFA Presidents Award 2020, UEFA Team of the Year 2007, UNFP Trophy of Honor 2019, West African Footballer of the Year 2010, Premier League Hall of Fame.
Didier Drogba is one of the greatest strikers to ever grace the Premier League. His elite strength, power and finishing ability helped Chelsea win four Premier League titles, multiple Cups and win them the elusive Champions League.
Drogba scored 164 goals for Chelsea in 381 games making him the clubs fourth highest all-time goal scorer. His most notable contribution was in the Champions League Final in 2012. He scored the equalizer against Bayern Munich and the winning penalty to win Chelsea the title. His efforts will forever be remembered in Chelsea’s history.
Drogba arrived at Chelsea in his prime years, he was 26 and had a knack for finding the back of the net. He got on well with manager Jose Mourinho and was a big personality in the locker room which is what Chelsea needed from their leading front man.
His first spell with the club was an eight-year stint where he won everything, he could at club level. He returned two years later after a brief spell in China and Turkey and helped Chelsea win another Premier League Title. His influence on the club is undeniable, he was also hugely inspirational as an African player in the Premier League. He is a Chelsea legend and a true joy to watch play.
2. John Terry
Position: Centre-back
Nationality: English
Years Active: 1998-2018
Teams: Chelsea, Nottingham Forest (loan), Aston Villa
Awards: Premier League 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15, 2016-17, FA Cup 1999-2000, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12, League Cup 2004-05, 5006-07, 2014-15, Community Shield 2005, 2009, UEFA Champions League 2011-12, UEFA Europa League 2012-13
Chelsea Player of the Year 2000-01, 2005-06, Premier League Player of the Month x1, Alan Hardaker Trophy 2005, 2015, PFA Players’ Player of the Year 2004-05, PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2009-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2014-15, FIFA FIFPro World XI 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, ESM Team of the Year 2004-05, 2008-09, 2009-10, UEFA Club Defender of the Year 2005, 2008, 2009, UEFA Team of the Year 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 2006, PFA Team of the Century.
John Terry was Mr. Chelsea. Coming up through the youth system in West Ham and Chelsea, he went on to make 717 appearances for Chelsea and would become their fearless leader and captain.
Terry is considered the best defender of his generation and one of the best in Premier League and World history. His tenacity, aggression and skill were unmatched at times.
He led the team to five Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, one Europa League and one Champions League. His individual accoladed are also impressive with multiple Player of the Year Awards.
Terry is the highest scoring defender in Chelsea F.C’s history, his ability to score goals, keep goals out and be the starter of Chelsea’s attacks inspired the team to greatness. Anyone that saw him play could see his leadership skills, he is arguably the greatest captain Chelsea have ever had, no one more fit to wear a lion on their chest.
1. Frank Lampard
Position: Midfielder
Nationality: English
Years Active: 1995 - 2016
Teams: West Ham United, Swansea City (loan), Chelsea, Manchester City, New York City FC
Awards: Premier League 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, FA Cup 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12, League Cup 2004-05, 2006-07, Community Shield 2005, 2009, UEFA Champions League 2011-12, UEFA Europa League 2012-13.
FWA Footballer of the Year 2005, PFA Fans’ Player of the Year 2005, PFA Merit Award 2015, FWA Tribute Award 2010, Premier League Player of the Season: 2004-05, Premier League Most Assists 2004-05, 2008-09, 2009-10, PFA Team of the Year 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, FIFPro World XI 2005, UEFA Midfielder of the Year 2008, England Player of the Year 2004, 2005, ESM Team of the Year 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10. UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament 2004, Premier League Player of the Month x4, Chelsea Player of the Year 2004, 2005, 2009, FA Cup Best Player 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, League Cup Best Player 2004-05, 2006-07, Premier League Hall of Fame.
Frank Lampard is without question, the greatest Chelsea player of all-time. Joining Chelsea from West Ham in 2001, he joined a Chelsea roster that had high ambitions. Few thought he would develop into the legend that he is today.
He is one of ten players to have scored 150 or more goals in the Premier League. What’s even more impressive is that he’s the only midfielder to do so. He’s also Chelsea’s all-time leading goal scorer with 211 goals in all competitions. He also holds the premier league record for most goals from outside the box with 41.
Lampard is considered one of the most intelligent players to ever play the game. An engine like no other, Lampard exemplified the term ‘box-to-box. His accolades speak for themselves as he’s won everything, he possibly could at club level. He was an integral part of the Chelsea spine that was successful under Jose Mourinho and will forever be a Premier League and Chelsea Icon.
Parameters of Rankings
These rankings were made based on the players achievements at Chelsea and not what they achieved at other clubs or as a manager.
