Chelsea’s Greatest Premier League XI

With five titles to their name in the last 12 years, Chelsea are one of the most successful sides in Premier League history and picking an all-star XI is no easy feat.

From more humble beginnings back in the late 90’s, Chelsea began picking up trophies and it was after a couple of years in the Champions League that Roman Abramovich bought the club and transformed the face of football in south-west London.

Jose Mourinho’s all-conquering side of 2004-06 were arguably the most dominant force in the Premier League era, but both the sides of Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte have also struck fear into their opponents and controlled their fortunes seemingly with ease.

Here’s our greatest XI of Chelsea players from the Premier League era, in a 4-3-3 formation…

Petr Cech

There’s no denying Petr Cech’s place as the best of Chelsea’s No.1’s in the Premier League era – despite his move across London to play for fierce rivals Arsenal.

Chelsea’s highest overseas appearance maker, Cech set a Premier League record in his very first season, going 1024 minutes without conceding a goal in 2004/05.

He had to bounce back from a life-threatening injury in 2007, and while four Premier League titles were to follow, his crowning moment came in 2012 when he saved three penalties in the Champions League final.

Branislav Ivanovic

Not at his best towards the end of his Blues career, but Serbian powerhouse Ivanovic was one of Chelsea’s most consistently excellent performers in a nine-year Premier League career.

Tough, tenacious and highly committed, Ivanovic was deployed at times at centre-back but it was on the right-hand side of defence where he was most efficient.

He is one of only five foreign players to make over 300 appearances for Chelsea, and as well as twice being named in the PFA Premier League team of the year, he sits only behind John Terry in terms of goals scored by a defender for Chelsea.

Marcel Desailly

It’s hard to leave out rock-solid Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho, and while lesser defensive talents may have won more silverware at Stamford Bridge, Desailly is one of the classiest defensive operators in Premier League history.

He joined Chelsea on the eve of the 1998 World Cup, which he won with France, and showcased his muscular elegance and masterful positional play for six seasons in south-west London.

John Terry

First name on the teamsheet, Chelsea legend Terry’s Blues career ended last season after 19 years and 717 appearances in all competitions.

Controversial off the pitch, there is no denying Terry’s status as one of the very best English defenders of all time, and he also was always a dangerous goalscoring target from set pieces.

Made club captain at just 24, Terry helped Chelsea to five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, one Europa League and one Champions League title.

Ashley Cole

Despite starting his Chelsea career in acrimonious fashion after a controversial move across London from Arsenal, Cole enhanced his reputation as one of England’s greatest ever full-backs in eight seasons with the Blues.

A vital cog in the Chelsea machine, Cole claimed one Premier League title, four FA Cups, one League Cup and one UEFA Champions League – winning the double in 2009-10.

Claude Makelele

Makelele was a man who defined a footballing role all by himself, and there are not many others you can say that about.

A massive signing for a Chelsea side bolstered by Abramovich’s millions in 2003, the small Frenchman has set the standard for all that have followed him in the defensive-midfield role.

Michael Ballack and Michael Essien both also performed the role admirably, but only N’Golo Kante this season just gone has truly come close to replicating Makelele’s often under-appreciated ability to protect the back four.

Frank Lampard

Like Terry, Lampard is an easy selection for any all-time Chelsea XI.

At the height of his powers, Lampard would set the tempo for the Blues’ attacking play and there remains no player in Premier League history better at timing a run into the box.

His shooting power and precision rewrote what was expected from an attacking midfielder, and Lampard remains the only midfield player to have netted more than 150 times in the Premier League.

Eden Hazard

Damien Duff and Arjen Robben both sparkled on the left-hand side of Chelsea’s midfield during the Blues’ first two league title-winning seasons, but Hazard could be the most naturally talented player ever to pull on the Blue shirt.

With two Premier League titles to his name already, at 26 years of age Hazard is arguably yet to even hit his peak, and if Chelsea can hang onto their star man he will be the focal point of their attack for several seasons to come.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

He possessed one of the most powerful strikes ever in the Premier League, and while he might not have looked it, many forget that Hasselbaink was the complete all-round hitman.

The Dutchman was also a lightning-fast sprinter, and able to finish with his left despite being right-footed.

He notched up 70 goals in 136 Premier League appearances in a blue shirt, and claimed the league’s Golden Boot in the 2000-01 season.

Didier Drogba

When Drogba first signed for Chelsea back in 2004, it’s fair to say most of English football wasn’t convinced by his inconsistent finishing and penchant for diving.

How wrong they were. Strong as an ox and immense in the air, Drogba grew into Premier League football and terrorised defences for the best part of a decade.

Twice a Golden Boot winner with a unique style of striking a dead ball, Drogba thrived on the big occasion – with a goalscoring record at club level of ten goals in ten finals winning ten trophies.

Gianfranco Zola

Probably Chelsea fans’ favourite ever player, Zola was also respected almost as much by those outside of Stamford Bridge.

A supremely skilful striker with a golden attitude and irresistible smile, Zola lit up the Premier League in a blue shirt for seven seasons.

No-one in south-west London will ever forget his FA Cup flick against Norwich, but more importantly, when Zola joined the club back in 1996 Chelsea were nothing special – the little Italian was one of the catalysts behind a 20-year renaissance for the Blues.