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.
Fernando Torres – Travis Tyler
The weight of expectation can be a great burden.
Fernando Torres’ career was defined by expectations. Club captain at 19. Liverpool and Chelsea’s most expensive signings ever. A winner of both the European Championships and the World Cup.
All these things made many believe that Torres would soon be the world’s greatest striker. Of course, few players ever live up to such a high standard.
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He started his Blue career disastrously, scoring one goal in 18 appearances. Manager after manager tried to get the best out of him with varying degrees of success. Though he was always supported by the Stamford Bridge faithful, few were upset when returned to Spain.
At the time, Torres did not appear to be great. But in hindsight, he was responsible for vital moments in club history. Torres scored the goal that led Chelsea to the Champion’s League final over Barcelona. Torres was there when Chelsea won the Champion’s League in Munich, winning the corner from which Drogba scored his header.
And when Chelsea unfortunately dropped into the Europa League the following season, Torres found scoring form to push Chelsea all the way to winning the trophy.
Torres’ statistical legacy is 45 goals and 35 assists in 172 appearances. But the stats never show how important those goals and assists were. They also do not show how Torres played himself into the ground for Chelsea.
Torres gave his all for the club, and that is what makes him great at the end of the day.
Salomon Kalou – Andre Carlisle
Deco, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba. When the Chelsea of yester-decade was at their most dominant, they were quite the blue sight. Cobalt shirts overpowered and outpaced every line of defense, leaving opposition goalkeepers alone to face the onslaught with the valiance of a Jon Snow that had already died once.
Those Chelsea sides were a blur whizzing by defenders and claiming their share of goals. If you turn up the audio you’ll hear commentators shout things like “With the equalizeeeeer!”; “Scooooores in stoppage time!”; “2-1 to Chelsea!”; and “He broke the deadlock!”
And it might surprise you that there’s a more than decent chance that the cause of the delirium was Salomon Kalou.
The quiet Kalou was a key component in the deviousness of Chelsea’s counter attacks. Chelsea’s technique and skill was in abundance. But without Kalou’s worrying amount of acceleration and finishing instincts, defenders could wait for attackers to come onto them. It was Chelsea’s other Ivorian that made sure defenses stayed on their heels.
With Frank Lampard retired, and Didier Drogba and John Terry not far behind, it may seem shocking that Salomon Kalou is still just 31 years old. He was remarkably talented and mature at such a young age, but at just the right time for Chelsea. Kalou scored while playing alongside Andriy Shevchenko, Drogba, and Torres – all before his 27th birthday.
Kalou currently plays for Bundesliga’s sixth-place Hertha Berlin. He has started in the last 11 matches he’s been available, notching 5 goals and 3 assists. Next time Hertha play you should try to watch.
Yes, Bundesliga is a fun league, but because there will be a familiar face – and pace – still terrorizing defenses.
Mikel John Obi – Barrett Rouen
Mikel John Obi may as well have been named Mr. Underrated.
His entire career at Chelsea he was nothing less than a diligent professional and hard working squad member. Was he the most talented player? No. Was he ever the best option at his position? No.
But during his time at Chelsea, the quietest decade anyone has ever had, he won practically every trophy that a player can during their professional career. His trophy case includes the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.
That is literally every trophy available in England and then the holy grail.
His attitude made him so important to the team. In the days of player power and selfish, useless attitudes, Mikel John Obi was the definition of a team player and servant to his club. Not once did we hear about him being unhappy. Not once did he talk to the media about wanting a move.
He did all this while also being a star and captain for his homeland Nigeria in the Olympics and multiple African Cup of Nations tournaments. He had the ability to put the team first and his personal stuff second. That quality alone is something that many modern players lack. Though others may have been more talented, their attitude makes them infinitely less valuable than Mr. Mikel.
Branislav Ivanovic – Daniel McClue
Ivanovic’s time at Chelsea was perhaps summed up in the days leading up to, and following, his departure. Having requested a move, the Blues were more than willing to grant his wishes. The fans flocked to Twitter to speak of their sadness to see him go. But everyone understood that the timing was right.
Then, exactly a day after his move was confirmed, Frank Lampard announced his retirement. All the attention, understandably so, was on the England legend.
All that was left from Ivanovic was a selfie to remember him by:
Ivanovic was the best right-back the Premier League has even seen. The big, powerful Serb was dominant in the air, good on the ball and an absolute menace to dribble past. Ivanovic won three FA Cups, two Premier Leagues, one League Cup, one Champions League and one Europa League. He scored 34 goals and created 34 assists in 377 magnificent games for Chelsea.
No right back has come close to replicating the aerial dominance, coupled with the speed and ability. Antonio Conte would be lucky to find someone like Ivanovic in the future.
But as we are around Valentine’s Day, it’s important to remember it’s not just about the looks, uhhhhh, footballing ability. His personality gives us fond memories too. A tear forms remembering when he was told he would not play in the Champions League Final.
Of course, never forget:
Next: Chelsea's best players-turned-managers
Do you agree with our players, who do you think has been criminally underrated for Chelsea? Let us know in the comments, or shout at us on Twitter.