When Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea Football Club in the summer of 2003, he changed the shape of European football. Since that time, Chelsea has emerged as an annual front-runner for English and European glory.
In Chelsea's pursuit of becoming the largest club in the world, Abramovich's billions have bought some of the largest names in the world. Some of those names have gone on to find massive success
in
West London. Meanwhile, some of the boys growing up not too far from Stamford Bridge have carried Chelsea to the global success Abramovich craves
In Chelsea's pursuit of becoming the largest club in the world, Abramovich's billions have bought some of the largest names in the world. Some of those names have gone on to find massive success
in
West London. Meanwhile, some of the boys growing up not too far from Stamford Bridge have carried Chelsea to the global success Abramovich craves
Although the name William Gallas is now a four letter word at Stamford Bridge, he was at the center of Chelsea's defensive revolution. Gallas and Terry created one of the strongest defensive pairings in England and his versatility allowed him to be effectively deployed at left or right back in addition to his favored central role.
In 2006, rumors swirled that Gallas became unsettled after Chelsea's latest contract offer. He requested a transfer but his request was denied because of his importance to Jose Mourinho's plans. Gallas was sent to Arsenal plus £5 million for left back Ashley Cole in August of 2006 against the wishes of Mourinho.
In 2006, rumors swirled that Gallas became unsettled after Chelsea's latest contract offer. He requested a transfer but his request was denied because of his importance to Jose Mourinho's plans. Gallas was sent to Arsenal plus £5 million for left back Ashley Cole in August of 2006 against the wishes of Mourinho.
Eidur Gudjohnsen was one of the most versatile attacking options Chelsea had in the early Abramovich years. Originally, Gudjohnsen operated as a second striker but eventually moved into the midfield, playing in attacking, wide, and holding roles under Claudio Ranieri and Mourinho.
Gudjohnsen continued to find his way into Chelsea's starting XI despite Abramovich buying perceived better players in his positions. When Chelsea signed Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko in the summer of 2006, Gudjohnsen finally ran out of room and was sold to Barcelona for €12 million.
Ricardo Carvalho has had a rather perplexing career at Chelsea. When he arrived from Porto for £19 million alongside Mourinho, he displayed why the club had paid such a high price. He shortly became a mainstay in Mourinho's side, proving to be of similar caliber to John Terry. Carvalho was voted Player of the Year by his teammates in 2008.
An injury-plagued season in 2008-'09 saw Carvalho fall behind Alex in the eyes of managers Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink but with the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti, Carvalho has regained his form and taken his place at the centre of Chelsea's defense
Gudjohnsen continued to find his way into Chelsea's starting XI despite Abramovich buying perceived better players in his positions. When Chelsea signed Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko in the summer of 2006, Gudjohnsen finally ran out of room and was sold to Barcelona for €12 million.
An injury-plagued season in 2008-'09 saw Carvalho fall behind Alex in the eyes of managers Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink but with the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti, Carvalho has regained his form and taken his place at the centre of Chelsea's defense
Claude Makelele was the midfield metronome in Chelsea's midfield during their back-to-back Premier League titles. Makelele was not just the holding midfielder, which the team has now dubbed "The Makelele Position," much of the movement was channeled through Makelele.
Makelele spent five seasons shoring up the midfield with Chelsea, even displacing his heir-apparent, Michael Essien, as a 35 year-old in 2008. In the summer of 2008, Makelele was released by Chelsea and signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
Petr Cech arrived from Rennes in the summer of 2004 in a £7 million deal, more than all of Chelsea's previous goalkeepers' transfer fees combined. Cech has kept 92 clean sheets in his 154 appearances and won the Golden Gloves award in the 2004-'05 season.
Cech suffered a depressed cranial fracture in 2006 that kept him out for three months. Since his return, he's suffered from various injuries and has been in rather inconsistent form. On the whole, Cech is still amongst the top 'keepers in the world and his play has been invaluable to Chelsea's success in the past five years 
Didier Drogba has been the definition of mercurial in his time at Chelsea. Arriving from Marseille for £24 million in 2004, Drogba struggled to find his feet. It wasn't until the 2006-'07 season that Drogba established himself as one of the top target men in the world. That season, Drogba was voted African Footballer of the Year and finished runner-up in PFA Player of the Year voting.
In the two seasons since, Drogba has struggled with injuries and suspensions and was yet to regain his '06-'07 form. This season, however, Drogba has rebounded, netting 12 times in 14 appearances in all competitions
Makelele spent five seasons shoring up the midfield with Chelsea, even displacing his heir-apparent, Michael Essien, as a 35 year-old in 2008. In the summer of 2008, Makelele was released by Chelsea and signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
Assuming "The Makelele Position," Essien has flourished for Chelsea. Providing all the same bite, Essien offers offensive skills that Makelele did not in his time with Chelsea. Essien was voted by the fans as Chelsea's Player of the Year in 2006-'07.
Essien arrived from Lyon in 2005 for a, then Chelsea record, fee of £24.4 million.
Ashley Cole arrived in the summer of 2006 from Arsenal with William Gallas heading in the other direction. Cole struggled to settle with Chelsea but in the past season he has established himself as one of the finest left backs in the world. His form was rumored to catch the eye of Barcelona but Chelsea quickly signed Cole to an extension keeping him at the club through 2013.
Cole's defensive prowess and constant overlapping runs have made him an important fixture at Chelsea
Essien arrived from Lyon in 2005 for a, then Chelsea record, fee of £24.4 million.
Cole's defensive prowess and constant overlapping runs have made him an important fixture at Chelsea
Cech suffered a depressed cranial fracture in 2006 that kept him out for three months. Since his return, he's suffered from various injuries and has been in rather inconsistent form. On the whole, Cech is still amongst the top 'keepers in the world and his play has been invaluable to Chelsea's success in the past five years
In the two seasons since, Drogba has struggled with injuries and suspensions and was yet to regain his '06-'07 form. This season, however, Drogba has rebounded, netting 12 times in 14 appearances in all competitions
Frank Lampard moved from West Ham to West London in 2001 for £11 million. Since then, Lampard has steadily become arguably the best midfielder in the world. Lampard ranks fifth amongst Chelsea scorers all-time and has been voted Chelsea Player of the Year on three separate occasions.
In the summer of 2008, Lampard signed a contract extension which will see him at Chelsea until 2013. Lampard has said he wants to stay with Chelsea "forever."
In the summer of 2008, Lampard signed a contract extension which will see him at Chelsea until 2013. Lampard has said he wants to stay with Chelsea "forever."
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