Not many clubs have seen the turnover of players that Chelsea have in recent years. It has been all change at Stamford Bridge in the 15 years since Roman Abramovich took over at the club, and it has been ‘win at all cost’ ever since.
Of course, Abramovich isn’t a man known for his patience, especially with managers. However, he has backed them an awful lot over the years, maybe not in terms of the time he has given them, but in terms of the money, he has invested in new players for every manager who has sat in the hot seat.
There have been some excellent buys in that period of time. Didier Drogba is one in particular that springs to mind, as does that of Eden Hazard. There have also been some real bargains picked up in that period as well, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill both moving to Chelsea for less than £10 million.
Goalkeeper- Thibaut Courtois
This one is still fresh in the memory for Chelsea fans. The Belgian spent seven years as a Chelsea player, after initially making the move from Genk in 2011. He spent three years out on loan at Atletico Madrid though, during which he established himself as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers. He returned to Chelsea to take over Petr Cech as the Blues’ number one and went on to win two Premier League titles. However, he made no secret of his desire to move back to Spain and joined Real Madrid for £35 million this summer.
Midfielder- Juan Mata
Mata was a huge success during his time at Chelsea. Having moved to the Blues from Valencia in 2011, he went on to win the Champions League, the Europa League, and the FA Cup in his spell with the club. He was a superb addition for Chelsea and was a favourite among supporters. However, he wasn’t required under Jose Mourinho when he returned to the club in 2013, and he moved on to Manchester United for a fee of £37.1 million, where ironically, he was later joined by Mourinho.
Midfielder- Juan Mata
Mata was a huge success during his time at Chelsea. Having moved to the Blues from Valencia in 2011, he went on to win the Champions League, the Europa League, and the FA Cup in his spell with the club. He was a superb addition for Chelsea and was a favourite among supporters. However, he wasn’t required under Jose Mourinho when he returned to the club in 2013, and he moved on to Manchester United for a fee of £37.1 million, where ironically, he was later joined by Mourinho.
Attacker- Mohamed Salah
Yet another man who Chelsea will regret letting go when they did, Salah has gone on to become a top class player since leaving Chelsea in 2016. The Egyptian was another man who grew frustrated with a lack of action under Mourinho, so had loan spells in Italy with Fiorentina, and then Roma. He made that move to Roma permanent in 2016, but was only there for another year, before returning to England with Liverpool. With Liverpool, he reached the Champions League final, and broke the record for the most goals in a 38-game season.
Defender- Ryan Bertrand
Although he didn’t appear too much in the Chelsea first team during his time at Stamford Bridge, Bertrand started perhaps the biggest game in the club’s history. The Englishman was the surprise selection on the left-wing in the 2012 Champions League final, in the process becoming the first man to make his Champions League debut in the final. After loan moves with Aston Villa and Southampton, he joined the Saints permanently in 2015 and has gone on to become one of England’s best-left backs.
Attacker- Diego Costa
https://www.instagram.com/p/Blq0ntynH2u/?taken-by=diego.costa
There hasn’t been anyone in football who’s more of a marmite figure than Diego Costa. Some love him, some hate in, but the truth is, every football fan on the planet wants a player like Costa in their side. The striker spent three seasons with Chelsea, during which he won two Premier League titles, and scored 59 goals in all competitions. Unsurprisingly, his time with the Blues ended in controversial fashion, when he returned to Atletico after being told he wasn’t part of part of Antonio Conte’s plans by text.
Attacker- Romelu Lukaku
The third member of this XI who has ended up at Manchester United. Lukaku joined Chelsea back in 2011 when they won the race for the youngster and paid Anderlecht £18 million for his services. He made very few appearances for the Blues in his debut campaign and was later sent out on loan to West Brom, then Everton. It was Mourinho who sold Lukaku to Everton in 2014 for £28 million. Clearly, Mourinho recognised his mistake and re-signed the Belgian last year, but this time as Manchester United manager, in a deal worth £75 million.