Ranking the 10 best Chelsea midfielders of all time

Chelsea are one of the most successful English clubs of all time. They have won the top-flight titles six times, including five Premier League titles. They have also won the UEFA Champions League twice, among numerous other honors.

The Blues have been part of the ‘Big 6’ or even the ‘Big 4’ as they were called back in the day. They have seen generations of success and it only grew under Roman Abramovich’s ownership from 2003 to 2022. He helped them bring in incredible players and managers across positions to win trophies and break records.

One area where Chelsea have had some incredible players is the midfield. A lot of their success was built on a midfield, which was solid out of possession and creative and impactful when on the ball.

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So, let’s take a look at the 10 best Chelsea midfielders of all time:

10. Ruud Gullit

The 1987 Ballon d’Or winner arrived at Stamford Bridge from AC Milan towards the latter years of his career in 1985. However, despite struggling with injuries, Ruud Gullit made a major impact at Chelsea, who weren’t as a big a force back then.

Gullit made over 60 appearances for the club and also helped them win the FA Cup. He also worked as a player-manager after his playing days were cut short due to injuries.

9. Cesc Fabregas

A former Arsenal star, Cesc Fabregas joined the Blues from Barcelona in 2014 and stayed for 4.5 years at the club. In that time, he won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one EFL Cup.

Fabregas was a key player for the side under Antonio Conte due to his creativity. He scored 22 goals and provided 57 assists in 198 games for the club.

8. Charlie Cooke

Charlie Cooke had two spells at Chelsea. He first arrived from Dundee United in 1966 and became well-known for his dribbling skills. He was a key player for the club as they won one FA Cup and one European Cup Winners’ Cup.

After six years with the west London side, he joined Crystal Palace but returned after 18 months. The Blues were relegated that season but Cooke stayed and helped them earn promotion two years later.

7. Michael Ballack

Michael Ballack spent most of his club career in Germany with the likes of Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. However, he spent four years at Cheslea between 2006 and 2010 and won a Premier League trophy, three FA Cups and one EFL Cup.

Ballack scored some crucial goals for the club in cup competitions under Carlo Ancelotti. Overall, he scored 26 goals and provided 22 assists in 167 games.

6. Ray Wilkins

Ray Wilkins didn’t win a lot of trophies at Chelsea as the others on this list have but his impact at the club is unparalleled. After coming through the reserves in 1973, he came their youngest-ever captain at 18 the following year.

The Blues were relegated after losing several key players but he led them back to the First Division two years later. However, the club were dealt with major financial issues after suffering another relegation in 1979 and Wilkins joined Manchester United. He also served as an assistant manager at Stamford Bridge under Carlo Ancelotti.

5. Michael Essien

A highly-rated Michael Essien arrived at Stamford Bridge from Olympique Lyon for a then club-record fee of £24.4 million in 2005. He played a key role in their Premier League title win in their first season itself and won numerous trophies with the club.

Known for his reading of the game, defensive solidity and athleticism, Essien made over 250 appearances for the west London side, scoring 25 goals and providing 20 assists. He also won the UEFA Champions League in the 2011-12 season. He then spent one year on loan at Real Madrid before moving permanently to AC Milan.

4. Dennis Wise

Wise joined the Blues from Wimbledon FC in 1990. He arrived as a forward but quickly became a central midfielder, making himself indispensable. He became captain in 1993 and led the club to six trophies, including two FA Cups and one UEFA Super Cup. Wise is the second-most successful captain for the west London side, behind only John Terry.

He made 427 appearances, scoring 69 goals and providing 46 assists in his 11 year stay at the club.

3. N’Golo Kante

Kante was a defensive midfielder who revolutionized the role with his running power, reading of the game and brilliance at interceptions. He joined the Blues in 2016 after a historic Premier League title win with Leicester City.

Kante made over 260 appearances for the club, winning one Premier League and one UEFA Champions League, among other honors. He left the club in 2023 and currently plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.

2. Claude Makelele

Makelele is not just one of Chelsea’s best midfielders but also one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time. His impact on the position was such that it was widely called as the ‘Makelele role’.

The Frenchman arrived at Stamford Bridge from Real Madrid in 2003 and in his five-year stay, he won numerous trophies. He was key part of the side, which conceded a meager 15 goals (a record) in the entire season in the Premier League in the 2004-05 season to lift the trophy.

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1. Frank Lampard

Not only the greatest midfielder but Frank Lampard is arguably also Chelsea’s greatest-ever player. He is their all-time top scorer with 211 goals in 648 games despite playing in midfield.

Lampard joined the club from West Ham United in 2001 and spent 13 years there. He had many iconic moments as he helped them win three Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy, among other honors.

Lampard also returned to Stamford Bridge as a manager and a caretaker manager later on.

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