Chelsea FC’s Top 30 Transfers Of All Time

22. Juan Mata – Fee: £23.5 million

Juan Mata is an interesting name to include on this list considering he only spent two or so years at the club, but what a few years they were. Few players have come to Stamford Bridge and won over the hearts of the fans so quickly.

He was our little Spanish magician, the next great Chelsea midfielder with incredible technical ability, and an out-and-out goalscorer all in one tiny package. In his first season with the club, Mata scored 12 goals and notched 20 assists in all competitions along with winning the FA Cup and Champions League double.

His second season was even more impressive as he scored 20 goals and cemented his status as Chelsea FC’s best player with 28 assists in all competitions. His talent was recognized by his teammates as he was chosen as the Chelsea Player of the Year two years running. It seemed like he would be a fixture in the Chelsea lineup for the next decade or so but Jose Mourinho did not agree and sent him packing to Manchester United in January 2014.

The Blues received a fee of £37.1 million from the Red Devils but Mata meant so much more to the Chelsea faithful than just numbers on a balance sheet. Mourinho made his fair share of sales during his second stint in charge of the Blues but none rankled the fanbase quite like the decision to sell Mata. Even in the wake of Mourinho’s firing, many Chelsea supporters expressed hope that the club would somehow bring the Spanish magician back home to Stamford Bridge.

Next: #21