POL’s Greatest Chelsea Player: Qualification round voting part two
Voting to crown Chelsea’s greatest player of all time rolls on with five match-ups in the qualification round taking place today.
The Pride Of London is setting out to name Chelsea’s greatest player in a bracket-style tournament. Today sees the continuation of the qualification round, with five head-to-head match-ups taking place featuring the likes of Eden Hazard and Gianluca Vialli.
Check out the tournament’s set-up and vote in the first batch of matches (if you haven’t already done so) at this link. Here are the contests opening today (scroll to the bottom to cast your votes):
Click on the player to see their profile in our 50 greatest Chelsea players list. Seedings are shown in parenthesis.
Eden Hazard (19) v John Hollins (46)
Eden Hazard endured a tough 2015/16 campaign, but he is still regarded as one of the most skillful players in the footballing world. The winger was instrumental in Chelsea’s Premier League triumph in 2015 and is expected to help the club secure much more silverware in the future.
John Hollins is one of Chelsea’s greatest servants. Two stints with the Blues saw his appearance tally near the 600 mark. He lifted the FA Cup and Second Division and was bestowed with the honour of captaincy. A managerial tenure also saw him win the Full Members’ Cup.
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Arjen Robben (20) v George Hilsdon (45)
Arjen Robben enjoyed a very successful stay in West London as he burst onto the scene. The Dutchman was a key part of the Blues, helping them win two Premier League titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup. Robben was one of the most skillful wingers to take the field at Stamford Bridge.
As the first Chelsea player to score 100 goals for the club, George Hilsdon was no ordinary centre-forward. In 164 appearances he hit the back of the net 108 times, in the process firing Chelsea to First Division promotion. A cult figure, Hilsdon has been an ever-present at Stamford Bridge after being immortalised in a weather vane that sits atop the East Stand.
Bobby Tambling (21) v Eddie McCreadie (44)
After graduating through Chelsea’s youth ranks, Bobby Tambling forged an incredible career with the Blues. He hit the back of the net 202 times in just 370 games, a goalscoring record bettered only by Frank Lampard. Tambling is arguably Chelsea’s greatest striker.
Eddie McCreadie was a trailblazer at fullback opposite Ken Shellito. With bundles of energy and an eagerness to attack, McCreadie would yo-yo down the flank. While he didn’t score too often, one memorable moment was his goal during the first leg of the 1965 League Cup final that eventually proved decisive.
Jimmy Greaves (22) v Roy Bentley (43)
In four seasons with Chelsea, Jimmy Greaves developed a reputation as a lethal striker as he set multiple records. He has the most hat-tricks by a Blue as well the most goals in one season, hitting the back of the net 132 times in 169 games overall.
Roy Bentley scored 150 goals for Chelsea as another prolific forward, leaving him joint third in the all-time list. He was also the club captain when the Blues lifted the First Division in 1955. Bentley is genuinely one of Chelsea’s finest.
Gianluca Vialli (23) v John Dempsey (42)
Gianluca Vialli is one of the great characters to pass through Stamford Bridge. The Italian played for and managed the club simultaneously for a period of his stay, winning both the League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup. One FA Cup was also added before being tasked with managerial duty.
John Demsey did not often garner headlines, but he was certainly integral to any Chelsea team he featured in. His 200 appearances involved triumphs in the FA Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup, although he also stuck around during the troubled latter part of the 1970s.
Those was the brief bios, now it’s time to vote! Also subscribe in the box below and check us out on Twitter and Facebook!
Next: Get to know Antonio Conte’s management staff
Who did you vote for? Let us know in the comments below!