Chelsea FC’s most underrated players of the past 15 years
Ever since Roman Abramovich’s takeover, Chelsea have been perennial buyers. Players come and go without a second thought. This leads to an oversight of some players – those who are underrated by Chelsea fans and football fans alike.
Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and John Terry earn nearly all the plaudits around Stamford Bridge. Their accomplishments make it easy to lose perspective on Chelsea’s supporting players that helped them achieve their dominance.
Chelsea would not have nearly the same trophy case if they did not have the role players to round out the squad. Someone had to be there to create space for Drogba, cut back the pass for Lampard and support Terry on the back-line.
Here are our players that would probably be legends at any other Premier League club, but are a bit underrated given Chelsea’s embarassment of riches.
Ashley Cole – Rayna Sidhu
Ashley Cole is one of the best left-backs ever to play in the Premier League. People should talk about him more often when drawing comparisons and setting standards. From start to finish at Chelsea, the man was exceptional.
The deal itself was one to remember. Abramovich paid £5million – plus William Gallas – to Arsenal, in exchange for Cole. Is that not the best transfer deal in league history? Cole was getting regular game time at Arsenal. But in true Wenger style, Arsenal did not match the salary that the Blues offered.
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He came to Stamford Bridge already on bad terms with Arsenal and with no small amount of scandal surrounding him. From day one, the true makings of a Chelsea legend.
Ashley Cole was a strong defender. He provided solidity within the back four. His communication with John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic did wonders for the squad. That defence set a high standard that the Blues still aspire to now.
Ashley Cole was reliable to perform well every week. He played in 229 league matches for Chelsea and only received two red cards in all that time. He was clinical.
This left-back even got a few goals (seven, to be exact). But his defending duties were always his top focus. It encourages a club’s ambitions when players know exactly what they must do to win.
If Ashley Cole needed to fit any more criteria to be a Chelsea legend, he was also a part of the first Chelsea team to win the Champions League. If nothing else, that grants him status as one of the best to ever wear the Chelsea shirt.