The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea’s all-time starting XI comprised of players who’ve worn masks

By Kevin Peacock

Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta gestures during the FA Cup third-round football match between Chelsea and Scunthorpe United at Stamford Bridge in London on January 10, 2016. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta gestures during the FA Cup third-round football match between Chelsea and Scunthorpe United at Stamford Bridge in London on January 10, 2016. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea wears a protective face mask during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea at Loftus Road on April 12, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea wears a protective face mask during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea at Loftus Road on April 12, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) /

Nemanja Matic (Defensive midfielder)

Another trip to Tottenham in November 2015 saw Nemanja Matic finish the game with a broken nose and a fractured cheekbone. A collision with Erik Lamela was the cause and of course, Matic played out the 90 minutes. The midfielder isn’t known as one of the Blues’ grittiest players in the mid-2010s for nothing. There was no way he’d miss a London Derby. The game itself, a typically rambunctious affair, ended 0-0. Subsequent games saw the Serb struggle to come to terms with his new facial attire. However, he did start the game against Bournemouth the following week.

Cesc Fabregas (Central midfielder)

Stoke City was the visitor to Stamford Bridge in April 2015. Cesc Fabregas sits in the centre of midfield and thanks to Charlie Adam’s forearm, a broken nose ensued. We can all remember Adams’ goal from the halfway line that left Thibaut Courtois stranded, some would argue he shouldn’t have been on the pitch to score. Fabregas, like so many, played on for the remainder of the game and helped inspire a winning performance. Chelsea won 2-1 with an Eden Hazard penalty and a Loic Remy tap-in securing all three points for the home side.

Ramires (Central midfielder)

Chelsea travelled to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in the Champions League in February 2014. This time, it would be Ramires that would be in need of a mask following his collision with Burak Yilmaz’s elbow in the 1-1 draw. The game itself would see Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea face Didier Drogba as an opposing player for the first time since his 2012 departure. Fernando Torres scored Chelsea’s goal and Ramires played on through 90 minutes.

Home/Chelsea FC All-Time Lists