5 former Chelsea stars you didn't know were still playing

#3 Filipe Luis - Flamengo

2020 Brasileirao Series A: Flamengo v Ceara

After helping Atletico Madrid to their first league title in 18 years, Filipe Luis decided to try a new challenge and moved to Chelsea for £16 million in 2014.

Luis had turned into one of the best left-backs at the time under the guidance of Diego Simeone. He played a key part in turning Atletico into one of the most formidable teams, making 180 appearances for the side during his four seasons at the club.

As such, Luis was expected to challenge Cesar Azpilicueta for the starting spot when he arrived at Chelsea. But the left-back was unable to make a similar impact during his first and only season at Stamford Bridge.

Luis was able to make just 15 Premier League appearances for the Blues with the defender never quite managing to win the trust of the then Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

As such, his time at the club came to an abrupt end and he returned to Atletico Madrid the following season. He was once again able to establish himself as a key part of Simeone's side. He made more than 150 appearances during his second stint with the Los Rojblancos, helping them win the Europa League in 2018. He subsequently left the club in 2019 to join Brazilian side Flamengo on a free transfer.

Now 36, Luis is still a key part of the Flamengo squad and has already mustered more than 100 appearances during his two seasons at the club.

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#2 Loic Remy - Rizespor

FC Porto v Lille - Algarve Cup

Loic Remy's brilliant form while on loan at Newcastle in 2013-14 attracted the attention of the Chelsea hierarchy, who decided to sign the striker during the 2014 summer transfer window.

Remy, who had a pretty successful career in France with Marseille and Nice, arrived at Chelsea with the hope of staking a claim for the striker's spot.

But Remy could never become more than a bit-part player at Stamford Bridge during his two seasons at the club, with Diego Costa firmly ahead in the striking department. He was, however, part of the Premier League and League Cup-winning side under Jose Mourinho during the 2014-15 season.

Remy moved to Crystal Palace on loan before joining Las Palmas on a free transfer in 2017.

He also spent two seasons in France with Lille but now, at the age of 34, the striker is plying his trade with Turkish side Rizespor after joining them last season.

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#1 John Obi Mikel - Kuwait SC

AFC Bournemouth v Stoke City - Sky Bet Championship

Without a doubt, the most successful Chelsea player on this list, John Obi Mikel, was a stalwart at Stamford Bridge for over a decade. He won nearly every trophy there was to win with Chelsea, including two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a Champions league.

After making more than 350 appearances for the club, many Chelsea fans would have thought that the Nigerian's career would soon come to an end following his departure in 2017. Yet Mikel, who is now 34, is still going strong having joined a new club this summer.

Following his departure, Mikel moved to Chinese Super League side Tianjin Jinmen Tiger on a free transfer. He spent just two seasons in China before joining Championship side Middlesbrough at the start of 2019.

However, his stay at Middlesbrough did not last long. After spending just six months at the club, Mikel decided to depart for Turkish side Trabzonspor in the summer. He played 24 games for the club before deciding to cancel his contract over concerns about the Super Lig continuing through the coronavirus pandemic.

Mikel returned to the Championship with Stoke City for the 2020-21 season. He was an integral part of the team, playing 39 league games, before departing this summer. He now finds himself plying his trade at Kuwait SC in the Kuwait Premier League.