The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea’s Champions League-winning starting XI: Where are they in 2019?

By Kevin Peacock

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Petr Cech of Chelsea in action during the Captial One Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on September 24, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Petr Cech of Chelsea in action during the Captial One Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on September 24, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
chelsea, gary cahill
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Gary Cahill of Chelsea applauds the fans after the final whistle during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Watford FC at Stamford Bridge on May 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Seven years since that momentous day in Germany, when Chelsea famously traveled to Bayern Munich’s back garden, sneaked in, and stole the Champions League trophy from their shed. It is a day that will forever be ingrained into the hearts of those that follow the boys from SW6.

To this day (and maybe that could change in a couple of weeks) Chelsea is still London’s only winners of Europe’s top club competition. Just two players remain with the Blues since 19 May 2012, but one is soon to be on his way and the other has just signed for a further two seasons. Every other player has either moved on, retired or both.

Looking back at the starting XI’s of both sides, it was an incredible achievement to take the victory on a night when two crucial players missed the cut through suspension. Both John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic, both instrumental throughout qualification disappointingly missed out. Those who did play gained notoriety in annals of Chelsea’s long history.

Petr Cech, Goalkeeper, Arsenal (for now)

Cech has already announced his retirement from football during a season when his playing time with Arsenal was limited to Europa League appearances. His final game will fittingly be against his former club, Chelsea, on May 29 in the Europa League final.

Cech was instrumental, nay responsible, for that victory over Munich. His penalty saves in regular time and during the decisive shoot-out secured the win. He has been offered the chance of returning to SW6 once the season is over in some as yet undefined role. He will once again be an incredible asset at the club

Jose Bosingwa, Right back, retired

With Branislav Ivanovic cruelly missing, it was down to Bosingwa to fill the Serbian’s boots in the biggest game of his career. Given that Chelsea won, he did a brilliant job like the rest of the side.

He never made much impact in SW6 but nonetheless he will always be remembered for being a Champions League winner. He left Chelsea following the final, joining local rivals Queens Park Rangers. He had a difficult season and left a year later, heading out to Turkey to play for Trabzonspor. That move had contractual issues that left him out of pocket and, at 36, he is now retired.

David Luiz, Center back, Chelsea

The one player still with the club next season. He had a spell away at Paris Saint-Germain but loved Chelsea so much he had to come back.

Many can argue about the Geezer’s defensive capabilities but it is hard to fault his commitment to the cause. He clearly does love Chelsea and that is not something that should be taken lightly in these days where players move at will to further their bank balances instead of loyalty for those they play for.

Having awarded him a two year contract as an over-30 year old, the club clearly value and respect him for that.

Gary Cahill, Center back, Chelsea (for now)

After a season on the sidelines under Maurizio Sarri, Cahill has finally decided to move on having won every club trophy possible. Sarri has treated Chelsea’s official club captain appallingly this season. He has barely had any playing time and was given a token run out recently against Watford, at least enabling him to say farewell to the fans.

He arrived at Chelsea in January 2012 for a fee of £7 million and few could have possibly believed that, five months later, he would be a part of a Champions League winning team. The stuff of dreams.

All still await his destination for next season. Wherever it may be they will be getting a true Chelsea legend.

Ashley Cole, Left back, Derby County

What would it be to have an Ashley Cole in Chelsea’s starting XI right now? He has never properly been replaced. Given that he is still playing, currently at Frank Lampard’s Derby County, the club clearly let him go far too soon.

Having left Chelsea in 2014, he moved on to Roma before heading out to LA Galaxy where he spent three seasons.

With Derby aiming for the Premier League, Lampard wasted no time in taking a chance on Cole’s experience for the end of season run in and the push for the playoffs. It paid off as the Rams take on Aston Villa in next weekend’s playoff final.

Home/Chelsea FC News