Chelsea's success since Roman Abramovich's days has been built on effective recruitment. However, they have often let top players go too soon.
Since Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003, Chelsea have always been able to buy very talented players in their prime. This has often led to younger players departing the club and going on to flourish elsewhere. Here are five players who Chelsea let go of too soon:
5 players who Chelsea surely regret selling
5. Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku initially joined Chelsea as an 18-year-old after starring for Anderlecht. However, game time at Stamford Bridge was limited for the striker. After a promising loan spell at West Bromwich Albion, he got a chance in the UEFA Super Cup against Bayern Munich, but missed the crucial penalty.
Lukaku then went on loan to Everton before joining them permanently. He then had spells with Manchester United and Inter Milan before Chelsea decided to buy him back for an astronomical £97.5 million.
His second spell at Chelsea was a disappointing one as he scored just eight goals in 25 Premier League games. Lukaku expressed his unhappiness in an interview and was subsequently dropped for his comments.
He then had loans at Inter and Roma before he joined Napoli permanently. Who knows what could have happened if Chelsea had kept him the first time round rather than dispatching him to Everton?
4. Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger was a rock at the back for Chelsea, who helped them win the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, Super Cup, and Club World Cup. However, when Real Madrid comes knocking, there is only one inevitable outcome.
Eden Hazard also left Chelsea for Real Madrid, but he had limited success in Spain. Rudiger has helped Los Blancos win the Champions League and La Liga. His presence at the back has been a miss for Chelsea since he departed in 2022.
3. Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois is another player who left Chelsea for Real Madrid and went on to flourish. He won the Premier League twice with Chelsea, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. However, with Los Blancos, he has won La Liga three times and the Champions League twice.
Courtois is still Real Madrid's first-choice goalkeeper, whilst Chelsea has not managed to replace him between the sticks. They have had a string of goalkeepers since, including Kepa Arrizabalaga, Edouard Mendy, and Robert Sanchez.
2. Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne is such a legend at Manchester City that many forget that he was even at Chelsea. He played just three times for the Blues in the Premier League before he was sent on loan to Werder Bremen. He then joined Wolfsburg permanently before returning to English soccer with Manchester City.
De Bruyne won six Premier League titles with City and the Champions League before joining Napoli. He is definitely one that got away for Chelsea, and it is a shame that their then manager, Jose Mourinho, did not spot his potential.
1. Mohamed Salah
Like De Bruyne, Salah had limited chances at Chelsea before having great success elsewhere in the Premier League. He played just 19 times for the Blues, and was another player that Mourinho let go too soon.
He was sent on loan to Fiorentina and then AS Roma, before joining the team in the Italian capital permanently. A return to the Premier League beckoned, and he went on to become one of Liverpool's greatest ever players. He helped the Reds win two Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Salah was a key player under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, but his time under Arne Slot has been mixed. He has got to be the player that Chelsea regrets selling the most.