Mail Sport, with the help of our readers, is on a mission to find the greatest player of all-time at each of the 20 Premier League clubs. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the legends of Chelsea, from the early days of Bobby Tambling and Peter Osgood to the Premier League heroes like Gianfranco Zola and Didier Drogba.
With so many big stars and personalities across different eras, it’s no easy task to determine Chelsea’s greatest player. The club’s history is filled with iconic figures, from Roy Bentley, who served as both captain and top scorer when Chelsea won their first English championship in 1955, to the modern-day heroes like Frank Lampard and John Terry, who played starring roles under Jose Mourinho.
Frank Lampard (left) and John Terry (right), who was captain for all five of Chelsea’s Premier League titles, played starring roles for Jose Mourinho (centre) during his time at the club
Bobby Tambling’s record of 202 goals between 1958 and 1970 stood as the club’s highest for many years, until Frank Lampard broke it with 211 goals from midfield. Tambling was a prolific striker who made his debut at 17 and was known for his clinical finishing.
Peter Osgood, nicknamed The King of Stamford Bridge, was another Chelsea legend who made a significant impact on the club’s history. He scored in every round of the European Cup-Winners’ Cup, including the final and the subsequent replay against Real Madrid, as Chelsea won the competition.
Chelsea captain Roy Bentley (centre) watches on as Stan Wicks (right) shakes hands with manager Ted Drake (left) upon signing for the Blues – before winning the First Division in 1955
Gianfranco Zola, who joined Chelsea in 1996, was a formative figure in the Premier League’s growth into a global attraction. The Italian maestro’s sensational performances, capped by scoring the winner in the 1998 European Cup-Winners’ Cup final, helped change the perception that smaller players from overseas couldn’t cope with the physicality of English football.
Gianfranco Zola joined Chelsea back in 1996 and enjoyed a dazzling career in west London
John Terry, widely regarded as one of the best ever captains, led Chelsea to five Premier League titles, while Frank Lampard scored a club-record 211 goals from midfield. Didier Drogba, the powerful Ivory Coast centre-forward, was Chelsea’s big-match player of the Roman Abramovich era, scoring winning goals in FA Cup finals and the 2012 Champions League final.
Eden Hazard, with his incredible close control and end product, won the Footballer Writers’ and PFA Player of the Year in 2015, while N’Golo Kante, the incredible midfield player, helped Chelsea win the Premier League in his first season and was voted Footballer of the Year four years later.
Now it’s your turn to decide who is Chelsea’s greatest player of all time. Cast your vote and let us know who you think deserves the top spot.