The 3 best Chelsea wingers of the last 20 years

In Blues lore, glorified legends have graced every position. John Terry’s leadership at the back, Frank Lampard’s prowess in the middle of the park and Didier Drogba’s lethal goal-scoring up top, are just a few legendary figures that come to mind. Yet, in discourse about Chelsea's most iconic players, with a few exceptions, the pivotal role of wingers often fades into obscurity. Underrated yet pivotal wingers have played a crucial part in almost every successful Chelsea squad, wreaking havoc on opposition defenses.

Here are Chelsea's best wingers of the last 20 years

3. Pedro

Choosing the third player for this list was more difficult than expected, but in terms of a long-term impact on Chelsea as a winger, Pedro deserves an appearance. The Spanishman joined CFC in 2015 from Barcelona and contributed to a spell of domestic and European success for the Blues, winning a Premier League title, an FA Cup and the Europa League in 2019. During his time at the Bridge, Pedro formed a deadly frontline partnership with the likes of Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Willian. In 260 appearances in blue, the World Cup winner bagged 43 goals and a fun fact, according to the official CFC website, the Blues have never lost when Pedro scored. His goals never disappointed either, finding the net in world class fashion on numerous occasions and terrorizing opposition defenders with his pace, ability on the ball and lethal finishing.

2. Willian

Willian is one of the most underappreciated Chelsea players in history but undoubtedly one of the club's best wingers since the 2000s. The Brazilian, who joined the club in 2013, racked up 339 senior appearances for Chelsea while contributing 63 goals and 62 assists in 7 years. In his time in West London, Willian was largely considered a reliable attacking outlet from the right flank for all the managers he served under. From the right flank, the now Fulham forward, had just about everything you'd expect from a Brazilian winger, adept at evading defenders with a combination of quick feet, dribbling and pace. Willian played an integral part in Chelsea's attacking outlet during the early and late 2010s, winning 2 premier leagues under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, along with an FA Cup, an EFL cup and a Europa league title. Individually, the former Blues No.10 won Chelsea's Player of the Year in 2016 and served as a crucial leader in the 19/20 campaign, his last season with CFC under Frank Lampard before departing to Arsenal on a free transfer.

1. Eden Hazard

There’s really only one name that could top this list and it’s none other than Chelsea all time great Eden Hazard. The recently retired Belgian winger, graced the Stamford Bridge turf for 7 years and delivered mesmerizing performances with an ease and charm the Premier League has hardly ever seen. In 352 appearances in blue, Hazard scored 110 goals and provided 92 assists, good enough for 9th on Chelsea’s all time top-scorer lists. In team honors with Chelsea, the Belgian won 2 premier league titles, 2 Europa League Titles, 1 EFL CUP and 1 FA CUP . The former Blues maestro's legend status also bridges across to the Premier League as a whole, winning the PFA player of the year award in 2015 and largely being recognized as one of the most talented players to play in the English top flight. Hazard's ability to deliver magic moments for Chelsea on countless occasions from not just the wings but every attacking position possible is something Blues fans definitely miss and will never forget.