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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) /
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frank lampard, derby county
LEEDS, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Frank Lampard, Manager of Derby County celebrates victory following the Sky Bet Championship Play-off semi final second leg match between Leeds United and Derby County at Elland Road on May 15, 2019 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Mikel John-Obi, Center midfield, free agent

For so long Mikel was the butt of jokes about his role at the club. If he was coming on it would be because Chelsea – particularly during Jose Mourinho’s time in charge – were about to “park the bus”. That is a bit disrespectful to the Nigerian.

The Champions League final was perhaps his finest hour. Mikel spent just over 10 years with Chelsea and was the model professional. He was happy to play whatever part he could for the good of the team. The club let him go in January 2017 and he left for Tianjin TEDA on a free transfer where he spent two years. Moving back to the United Kingdom, Middlebrough snapped him up a short contract in January 2019.

He is now a free agent and looking for his next club. At 32 years old, there is still time for one more good move.

Frank Lampard, Center midfield, Derby County manager

Much loved super Frankie Lampard captained the side on that night in Munich in the absence of John Terry. He was a stalwart of Chelsea’s squad for 13 years and formed a part of a crucial spine that fulfilled so much.

There was a degree of controversy about his departure in 2014, though. It was a messy affair that saw him disappear out of a back door after the season had ended, supposedly to the newly formed New York City. However, it turned out the US side’s parent owners, who also owned Manchester City, would loan Lampard out for the first six months of the 2014/15 Premier League season. That six month spell was extended the whole season.

After finally hanging up his boots in 2017, Lampard gained his coaching badges and went on to get his first managerial role a year later with Derby County. He has a shot at returning them to top flight of English football in his first season. It is almost inevitable he will manage Chelsea at some point in the future. Maybe sooner than later.

Juan Mata, Attacking midfield, Manchester United

Someone else who falls into a fans’ favorite category, Juan Mata was just a nice, lovable guy. When left to create he was at his finest. Jose Mourinho tried his best to knock that out of him when he arrived back in London in 2013. For many Chelsea fans, that was unforgivable by Mourinho.

When the Spaniard left the club in January 2014 to go to Manchester United, it was somewhat ironic that Mourinho would turn up as his boss two years later. To this day Mata remains with United, although his contract with them runs out this summer. It is not known if he will extend his stay or move onto another club. Should he move, his most likely destination will be back to his Spanish homeland.

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