Face masks have been en-vogue for the last year. It’s a look Chelsea players, in their own way, have been rocking for years. Antonio Rudiger is the latest in a long line of Blues players to don The Mask of Zorro. With just one vital game remaining and only so much that can be written about it, why not wallow in a Chelsea starting XI that wouldn’t look out of place with a cape and rapier sword at hand.
In a sweeping generalisation, footballers can be regarded as likely to go to ground at the mere clip of heel or brush of a backside. Playing in a controversial 4-3-1-2 formation, these double-hard Chelsea boys cannot be considered so:
Petr Cech (Goalkeeper)
Petr Cech already had head gear from his collision with Reading’s Stephen Hunt when Chelsea took on Blackburn Rovers in November 2011. Further head protection would be needed in subsequent games after he collided with Ashley Cole and Yakubu as the Nigerien honed in on goal. Despite a broken nose, Cech played on, impressively keeping a clean sheet. Chelsea won the game 1-0 with a Frank Lampard goal securing the victory.
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Paulo Ferreira (Right back)
Following on from Cech’s need for a mask in November, Paulo Ferreira joined the ‘Zorro club’ just before Christmas 2011. It was a game away to Tottenham and a clash with Gareth Bale that saw the Portuguese international’s cheekbone fractured. Having already been Branislav Ivanovich’s replacement, he, stoically, played out the 90 minutes. The game ended 1-1 with Daniel Sturridge grabbing Chelsea’s goal.
Gary Cahill (Centerback)
They say things can happen in three’s. Gary Cahill can certainly attest to that when, in 2015, he managed to get his nose broken in a pre-season clash against Barcelona. Further injuries followed against Arsenal and Manchester City early in the season. Cahill said:
"“I have had a bit of a nightmare since the start of the season. We played Barcelona pre-season and I scored the goal in the last minutes of the game, heading over the keeper, but by doing that he has come out and punched me straight in the nose. It has started from there. Then I hurt it against Arsenal, then against Manchester City I got smashed in the nose again and broke in two different places.”"
Cahill also played on, at least in the games that mattered. Chelsea didn’t win either the Community Shield game against Arsenal or the Premier League game at Manchester City though.
John Terry (Centerback)
Of course, Captain, Leader, Legend, John Terry, makes the team. A fractured cheekbone against Fulham in September 2007 sealed the deal. Terry required surgery after the collision with Clint Dempsey with just three minutes gone in the local derby. Terry played out the remainder of the half, but was subbed off early in the second period. The game ended 0-0. In typical JT style, he was back in the starting XI for the Champions League qualifier—which the Blues won 2-1—just four days later.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Left back)
Chelsea travelled to face Crystal Palace on the 3rd January 2016 and Cesar Azpilicueta was channeling his inner John Terry when Frazier Campbell’s boot caught the side of the Spaniard’s face. A double fracture to his cheekbone was the result. Like Cech, and despite the game being only three minutes in, Azpilicueta played out the 90 minutes. Chelsea went on to win the game 3-0 with goals from Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa.