Pundit Arena Because Sport Is Everything
Many of the world’s greatest players have come and gone through Stamford Bridge.
Here is our pick of the crop lining out in a 4-2-3-1 formation as this was most often used by the club’s greatest ever manager, Jose Mourinho.
Petr Cech
The former Czech Republic captain made a total of 486 appearances for the Blues since his arrival in 2004.
His career undoubtedly hit a rough patch when his head was split open by Reading’s Stephen Hunt.
Despite the severity of the injury, Cech would go on to become one of the heroes of the 2012 UEFA Champions League triumph.
He saved an Arjen Robben penalty in extra-time and also denied Bastian Schweinsteiger in the shootout. He has also been referred to as the best goalkeeper in the world by Italian legend, Gianluigi Buffon.
_______
Branislav Ivanovic
The big Serb is, without doubt, the finest right-back to ever wear the Royal Blue.
Ivanovic is probably best known for his ability to score crucial goals.
His greatest ever moment was his winning goal in the 2013 UEFA Europa League final win over Benfica. With the game tied at 0-0 with just a minute to go before extra time, up stepped Ivanovic with one of the most famous headers in European football history.
______
John Terry
Having chosen the Blues over Manchester United as a 14-year-old boy, Terry never could have envisioned he would go down as one of the league’s greatest ever defender.
Words cannot describe his contribution to Chelsea and England. He is undoubtedly our choice for team captain also.
_______
Ricardo Carvalho
Carvalho was brought to the club in the early days of Jose Mourinho’s first spell at the Bridge.
He was voted the club’s player of the season in 2008 and went on to win two Premier League titles as well as FA Cup and League Cup titles.
He and Terry were probably the best ever partnership at the club. The Pensioners may never find a duo as prolific again.
_______
Ashley Cole
Having started his career as a winger and being part of the 2004 Arsenal Invincibles, Cole converted to left-back and became a fans favourite in the capital.
He has more FA Cup medals than any other other player and is one of only two players to ever win the double with two different clubs.
_______
Claude Makelele
The Frenchman is widely acknowledged for his incredible work rate.
He is arguably the greatest defensive midfielder of all time and was one of the easiest picks for this line up.
He has proven himself by winning league titles in England, Spain and France and has also won the 2001-2002 UEFA Champions League title with Real Madrid.
At times his long-range passing was as good as any even though his defensive attributes are what he is most famed for.
______
N’Golo Kante
Kante was last season’s PFA Player of the Season. In a league that was jam-packed with some the likes of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Kevin De Bruyne and Phillipe Coutinho, the small French international came out victorious.
He has been compared to Makelele and admits that he is his inspiration and role model. If he stays injury free, Kante will remain at SW8 for many years to come.
_______
Frank Lampard
Despite playing as a midfielder, the Englishman is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with a staggering 211 goals.
He is fourth on the list of leading goalscorers inPremier League history with only Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andrew Cole above him.
He was runner-up to Ronaldinho in the 2005 European Player of the Year award and is regarded as the club’s greatest ever by the likes of Bobby Tambling and his former skipper JT.
_______
Eden Hazard
Having been tipped for greatness by Joe Cole long before his transfer from Lille in 2013, Hazard has enjoyed a glittering five-year spell in the UK.
The former PFA Player of the Season has been long lined with a move to Real Madrid and with the current side struggling to break into the top four, the Belgian captain may abandon the Premier League champions.
The “Belgian Messi” has been the club’s star player ever since he arrived and scored one of the league’s greatest ever solo goals last year when he beat three Arsenal players before smashing past Petr Cech in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over the Gunners.
______
Gianfranco Zola
Zola was blessed to have shared the pitch with one of the greatest ever, Diego Maradona.
The Argentine clearly made an impression as Zola was voted the Football Writers’ Player of the Year in 1996-1997.
_______
Didier Drogba
The Ivorian was sold against his own will by Marseille and was brought in by Jose Mourinho. Drogba always speaks of his amazing bond with the current United manager.
He gained true legendary status for his winning contribution to the club’s greatest ever achievement, the Champions League victory six years ago.
One of the true leaders of the team, Drogba’s absence in 2016 is often given as the primary reason for the club’s tenth place finish.
Luke Gannon, Pundit Arena
