Chelsea’s top six all-time best players from Africa

Salomon Kalou

Chelsea appearances / goals: 254 (60)

Ivorian Salomon Kalou signed from Dutch club Feyenoord in 2006 for a fee in the region of £9 million. He arrived at Cobham in awe of the players he knew he would meet. He carried a camera, and spoke of the experience of meeting his compatriot Didier Drogba: “This was the dream moment of my life and I did not want to wake up and find that it was not real.”

Chelsea managers did not always favour Kalou. With the revolving door approach to management adopted by the club, he often found himself fighting for a first team place. His attitude was never in doubt, though. He never sulked, nor threw tantrums. He was a solid team player, who just did his job.

After Andre Villas-Boas froze him out for in the 2011-2012 campaign, Kalou worked his way back into the team following the Portuguese’s dismissal. With Roberto di Matteo leading the club as interim manager, Kalou’s appearances picked up. He started both the FA Cup Final and the Champions League Final in May 2012, collecting winners medals in both.

Like Drogba, Salomon Kalou left the football club when his contract expired in July 2012. He joined Lille in France on a free transfer. He subsequently moved to Hertha Berlin, where he still plays.