With the transfer window in full swing, HITC Sport takes a look and some of the best and the worst Chelsea signings.
Over the years, we’ve seen many spectacular and strange signings in the transfer window. Moves that have amazed and mystified fans and journalists alike, along with the occasional “hidden gem” or the odd “flop”. Chelsea are one club who have been subject to all of the above over the years, and so, HITC Sport has decided to take a look at some of the best and the worst of Chelsea’s transfer business.
Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea
The Best
At the heart of any good side, there is always an excellent goalkeeper, and this was something Jose Mourinho knew all to well when he first took the Chelsea job back in 2004. Moving quickly to bring in his own man between the sticks, the Blues moved to sign Czech shot-stopper Petr Cech, from French side Rennes. After making over 330 appearances for the club, Cech left the Blues with 4 Premier League medals, 4 FA Cup medals, 1 Europa League medal and a Champions League medal.
Petr Cech, now of Arsenal
Mourinho also knew that, for him to be able to build a side worthy of challenging for the Premier League title, he would need to bring in a class centre forward. Step up, Didier Drogba. After joining the London club from French side, Marseille, Drogba quickly became a fans favourite. His power, pace and precision were unrivalled in the Premier League, and the Ivorian went on to make 254 in total for Chelsea, scoring 104 times. Drogba also scored the winning penalty in their infamous Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
Didier Drogba after Chelsea won the Champions League
No Chelsea signing stands out more than that of Frank Lampard, who joined the Blues from London rivals West Ham in 2001. Despite being young, Lampard was touted as one of the best youth players in the country at the time, and Chelsea fans were expecting big things from him. However, it wasn’t until the entrance of a certain Portuguese manager that Lampard’s career really took off. Scoring an incredible 147 goals from midfield, Lampard spent a total of 13 years with the London club, before eventually departing for America, leaving the club as their all time record goalscorer.
Lampard signs off at Chelsea
The Worst
Under billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, there have been plenty of duff signings made for Chelsea over the years; as is the risk with spending big year in, year out. When Chelsea signed Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko from AC Milan, Blues fans were excited. Shevchenko was a world star and was one the deadliest strikers in Europe, scoring 175 goals over seven years in all competitions. However, Shevchenko’s two years at Chelsea were a disaster. His inconsistent performances and lack of goals lead to the Ukranian being remembered as one of the biggest flops in Premier League history.
Andriy Shevchenko celebrates scoring the first goal for Chelsea, his first at home for the club
When Chelsea signed Fernando Torres from Liverpool in January 2011, many feared that Chelsea’s dominance of the Premier League was set to run for years and years. After arguably becoming the most lethal striker in the Premier League at Liverpool, the Blues signed Torres for a whopping £50 million according to the BBC, a record for the Premier League at the time. However, the Spaniard became a laughing stock after a number of comedy misses, scoring only 20 goals in 110 league appearances for the Blues.
Chelsea’s Fernando Torres
Anyone who followed Dutch football at the time would have known that young star, Mateja Kezman, was destined for big things. Scoring 105 league goals in just 123 games, Kezman was one of the hottest properties in European football, and joined Chelsea in 2004. However, the Serbian struggled to come anywhere near replicating the kind of performances he pulled off in Holland, scoring a measly 7 goals in 40 appearances for the Blues.
Chelsea’s Mateja Kezman
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