Chelsea are the ninth-most valuable club in the world and the fifth-most successful club in English football. They’ve come a long way since their inception 119 years ago, winning 36 trophies from their first major honour in the 1950s. The legacy of Chelsea legends has been a driving force behind their rise to prominence, with iconic players leaving an indelible mark on the club’s history.
Chelsea’s entire existence comes from Gus Mears founding the Blues so he could lease his newly-acquired Stamford Bridge athletic stadium to them, as Fulham rejected his request.
Mears passed away in 1912 and couldn’t imagine how much of a powerhouse Chelsea would become. The club have picked up so much silverware, and players have etched their name into folklore by leading Chelsea to such success.
Below is a list of proverbial Hall of Famers who played their part in Chelsea’s rise to prominence.
Peter Bonetti
Peter Bonetti, known as The Cat, was a goalkeeper who spent 20 years at Chelsea. Bonetti was small but agile and courageous, sacrificing his body to keep the ball from going in his goal.
Bonetti made 729 appearances between 1959-1975 and 1975-1979, winning the FA Cup (1969/70), League Cup (1964/65) and European Cup Winners Cup (1970/71). He helped Chelsea to promotion from the Second Division (1962/63 and (1976/77) twice too.
Bonetti died in 2020 after a long-tern illness. The 78-year-old had the second most clean sheets for Chelsea with 208 and is fondly remembered by fans. He had extraordinary reflexes and was courageous claiming crosses in traffic, often getting clattered and playing on.
This was a time where goalkeepers didn’t have gloves either, so Bonetti really was a warrior. He would get into coaching after retirement, sharing his wisdom to the next generation. A true legend in his own right.
“Ay, ay, ay, ay, Bonetti is Better than Yashin!”
Bobby Tambling
Bobby Tambling was a centre-forward who played for Chelsea between 1959 and 1970, scoring 202 goals in 370 games. He held the all-time scoring record for Chelsea until Frank Lampard overtook him in 2013.
Tambling, who made his debut at 17, won the League Cup (1964/65) and FA Cup (1966/67) at Chelsea but is best remembered for firing them back into the top-flight after relegation (1962/63).
Tambling had raw pace and wasn’t afraid to run at defenders, scoring so many solo goals as nobody could contain him. His work rate would see him capitalising on many defensive errors, scoring a lot of goals from never giving up.
Tambling was always in the box to convert crosses and cut-backs, but he was an excellent finisher too. He always backed himself one-on-one and made no mistake from close range.
Such was his contribution to the Blues, one hospitality area at Stamford Bridge is called the Tambling Suite in his honour. He is now 83.
Ron Harris
Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris was a defender who made club record 795 appearances for Chelsea between 1962 and 1980. Harris made his first-team debut at 17 and spent 18 years as a regular in the side two seasons in.
Harris won the FA Cup (1969/70), League Cup (1964/65), European Cup Winners Cup (1970/71), and enjoyed promotion to the First Division twice (1962/63 and 1976/77).
Harris a tough-tackling and no-nonsense player who won over supporters with his industry and willingness. Harris wasn’t a great tackler or decision-maker, often giving away cheap free-kicks due to his impulsivity, but the 79-year-old is a legend for the incredible amount of appearances.
Harris would strike fear into his opponent, as they knew he went into every tackle full-blooded regardless of whether he’d get the ball or not. And that era of football didn’t often punish fouls with cards, so Harris got away with a lot.
That’s to take nothing away from his ability, however, as Harris could play football. He’s not Chelsea’s record appearance holder as a fluke.
Harris was a difficult player to beat one-v-one and did everything to turn over the ball. He would cover every blade of grass to help his team, and that wasn’t ignored by those who watched and played with him.
Peter Osgood
Peter Osgood was a centre-forward who played for Chelsea between 1964 and 1974. He scored 150 goals for Chelsea and has a statue built of him outside Stamford Bridge.
Osgood won the European Cup Winners Cup (1970/71) and FA Cup (1969/70), but it was his performances and goalscoring that he’s best remembered for. Osgood was a real fox in the box, reacting quickest to loose balls and crosses. He would often round the goalkeeper due to his pace and scored so many goals by gambling on mistakes.
Osgood had real composure in the box and was a good header of the ball. When he’d score a sensational effort, commentators would say “you don’t blame goalkeepers.”
Osgood died in 2006 at the age of 59. His ashes were buried under the penalty spot at the Shed End of Stamford Bridge, ensuring that his memory will live on.
“Out from the shed came a young rising star, scoring against Jennings from near and from far. When Chelsea won the game like we all knew they would, the star of that great team was Peter Osgood!”
Kerry Dixon
Kerry Dixon was a centre-forward who played for Chelsea between 1983 and 1992, scoring 193 goals in 420 appearances. He joined while Chelsea were at their lowest ebb and helped restore them to the First Division on two separate occasions.
Dixon had a couple of outstanding seasons for goals, scoring 34 times in his debut season and 36 the following campaign. He came just nine short of breaking Tambling’s scoring record by the time he left.
Dixon was a brilliant player, bamboozling defenders and goalkeepers before slotting into an empty net. He had real aerial prowess too, scoring many goals with his head. Dixon had terrific movement in the box, turning bad balls into good ones as he’d react first.
A quintessential Dixon goal would see him breaking the offside trap, rounding the goalkeeper and tapping into an empty net. Another one would be an aimless cross lofted into the area and Dixon somehow getting enough power to head it beyond the goalkeeper.
Injuries slowed Dixon down, but the 63-year-old will be remembered as one of Chelsea’s greatest goalscorers. He’s their third highest goalscorer and in the top-10 for most appearances.
“One Kerry Dixon, there’s only one Kerry Dixon!”
Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola was a diminutive Chelsea forward who made 312 appearances between 1996 and 2003. The Italian maestro was beloved among supporters for his dribbling ability and ingenuity on the ball, being able to score solo goals from individual brilliance.
Zola, a two-time Player of the Year, won the FA Cup (1996–97 and 1999–2000) twice, League Cup (1997–98), UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1997–98), UEFA Super Cup (1998) and FA Charity Shield (2000) with Chelsea.
The 58-year-old was named in the English football Hall of Fame, won a FWA Football of the Year in 1997, and Zola was awarded an OBE. Zola went into coaching upon his retirement and would briefly return to Chelsea as first-team coach.
Some believe Zola’s iconic #25 jersey should be retired. It was a big deal when Moises Caicedo chose it for his number after joining Chelsea in 2023.
“Gianfranco Zola, la la la la la la, Gianfranco Zola, la la la la la la….”
Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise was another diminutive footballer who impressed for Chelsea in the 1990s. He joined from the ‘crazy gang’ of Wimbledon and made 445 appearances for Chelsea in 11 years. The central midfielder was Chelsea’s second most successful captain with six trophies in four years.
Wise won two FA Cups (1996/97 and 1999/2000), one League Cup (1997/98), one UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1997/98), one UEFA Super Cup and one FA Charity Shield (2000).
The 57-year-old was a tenacious player who picked up a lot of suspensions, but Wise was very popular with supporters due to his commitment. He epitomised what it meant to be club captain and was a two-time Chelsea Player of the Year.
Wise was known for practicing the dark arts on the pitch, but he could play football. The ‘little skipper’ often made late runs into the box and contributed many goals from it. His late equaliser against AC Milan will be forever remembered.
Wise wasn’t afraid of anyone and made a real impact despite being dwarfed by most of his opponents.
“Oh Dennis Wise, scored a ****ing great goal, in the San Siro, with ten minutes to go…!”
Petr Cech
Petr Cech was an unknown upon his arrival to Chelsea in 2004 but became a legend in his 11 years at Stamford Bridge. Cech became one of Chelsea’s most decorated players and is regarded as one of the Premier League’s best-ever goalkeepers.
The image of Cech with a black protective helmet is synonymous in Chelsea folklore, having worn it following a collision with former Reading player Stephen Hunt in October 2006. Cech bravely came out to thwart his effort but was kneed in the head and had to be stretchered off.
Doctors compared the impact to a car crash, and two loose pieces of his skull had to be replaced with metal plates. Cech was initially ruled out for the season but returned three months later with the headgear, as doctors advised. He was only two years into his Chelsea career, but that moment quickly made him an icon.
Cech made 494 appearances for Chelsea, winning four Premier League titles (2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10 and 2014–15), four FA Cups (2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2011–12), three League Cups (2004/05, 2006/07, 2014–15), two Community Shields (2005 and 2009), one Champions League (2011/12), and one Europa League (2012/13).
Cech, standing at 6ft 5in tall, covered so much of the goal with his large frame that he amassed more clean sheets than Bonetti with 228. The 42-year-old is also Chelsea’s highest overseas appearance maker, a four-time Best European Goalkeeper, a four-time Premier League Golden Glove winner, and Chelsea’s 2011 Player of the Year.
“Helmet on his head, padding on his chin, we love Petr Cech, cause he lets no goals in…”
Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba joined Chelsea in 2004 and went on to score 164 goals in 381 appearances between 2004-2012 and 2014-2015. He is Chelsea’s fourth all-time highest scorer and made a name for himself as a big-game player, scoring in multiple cup finals that Chelsea won – nine goals in nine cup finals.
Drogba will be best remembered for his equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final and winning penalty in the shootout, to earn Chelsea the European crown for the first time in their history.
The 46-year-old epitomised the complete centre-forward, combining hold-up play, strength, pace and a ruthless finish while being dominant in the air. Drogba was a modern-day striker, doing the work of two forwards from the late-90s. He could be a target man when needed but could beat the offside trap to stretch the opposition.
Drogba is a two-time African Football of the Year and two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner among many other individual honours.
“Didier Drogba, tra lala. Didier Drogba, traaa lalala. Didier Drogba, tra lala. Didier Drogba, traaa lalala!”
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazardis arguably the most talented player on the list of Chelsea legends. There was a media storm when the Belgian famously announced his desire to join the then-Champions League winners in 2012 and he certainly lived up to his billing.
A lot was expected of Hazard upon his arrival and he didn’t disappoint in his seven years at Stamford Bridge. Hazard scored 110 goals in 352 games, notching 92 assists. Hazard left Chelsea for Real Madrid in 2019 but is regarded as one of the best players to have ever worn the shirt.
Hazard would cut inside from the left flank and wreak havoc, as no defender could touch him without conceding a foul. Hazard scored some outstanding solo goals at Chelsea that only a handful of players could replicate.
He famously took on two Liverpool players, nutmegged a third, collected the ball back from a teammate on the right flank and drove into the box, beating two more players before rifling an effort into the far corner. Chelsea fans would also rise to their seat when Hazard was on the ball, as they knew he would produce a moment a magic from thin air.
His solo goal against West Ham almost matched that of the Liverpool one too, drifting past four players before finishing into the bottom corner without being touched.
The 33-year-old is a four-time PFA Premier League Team of the Year entry and a four-time Chelsea Player of the Year winner.
“Eden, Eden, Eden, Eden, Eden, Eden, Eden Hazard!”
John Terry
John Terry is Chelsea’s most successful player and has more appearances as captain that anyone else. Terry joined Chelsea as a youth player from West Ham in 1995 and spent 22 years at Stamford Bridge.
Terry would go on to make 717 appearances for Chelsea, winning five Premier League titles (2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2014/15, 2016/17), five FA Cups (1999/2000, 2006/07, 2008/09,2009/10, 2011/12), three League Cups (2004/05, 2006/07 and 2014/15, two Community Shields (2005 and 2009), one Champions League (2011/12), and one Europa League (2012/13).
Terry was a throwback defender, always putting his body on the line for the cause in an era that drastically evolved since he began his career. While his conduct has fairly been questioned at times, no one could fault the 43-year-old’s commitment to Chelsea.
After winning the 2016/17 league title, Terry called time on his Chelsea career, joining Aston Villa and leading them to the Championship playoff final before retiring the following year.
He’s a two-time Chelsea Player of the Year and a four-time PFA Premier League Team of the Year entry.
“Viva John Terry! Viva John Terry! He’s a true Blue, and he hates Man U. Viva John Terry!”
Frank Lampard
If Eden Hazard is the most talented Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard might be the most hard-working. Lampard was notorious for continually working on his craft, putting in extra hours of training to perfect his skills.
Like Terry, Lampard joined Chelsea from West Ham in his younger years but is a Blues legend through and through. Lampard came to Stamford Bridge in 2001, scoring 211 goals in 648 appearances until his departure in 2014.
Lampard bagged over 100 Premier League assists alone too, so he averaged a goal contribution every other game from midfield. A truly remarkable feat. He perfected making late runs into the box, often being unseen by the opposition. Lampard was also a brilliant technician, able to pick out the top corner from distance.
Lampard not only won three Premier League titles (2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10), four FA Cups (2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2011/12), two League Cups (2004/05 and 2006/07), two Community Shields (2005 and 2009), one Champions League (2011/12), and one Europa League (2012–13), he would also manage Chelsea post-retirement, leading them to the 2019/20 FA Cup final.
The 46-year-old is a three-time PFA Premier League Team of the Year entry and a three-time Chelsea Player of the Year. He famously scored an iconic Lampard goal against Chelsea after joining Manchester City late in his career and was applauded by supporters.
“And it’s super, super Frank. Super, super Frank. Super, super Frank. Super Frankie Lampard!”
