6 most entertaining Chelsea players in Premier League history

As one of the top clubs in the Premier League, Chelsea have been blessed with some skilled players over the decades. Since Roman Abramovich took charge, Chelsea have risen to become one of the European powerhouses and showcased their dominance in the English top flight.

Roman Abramovich's ownership has meant more financial might, which has been evident in the Blues' signings since then. Chelsea have managed to win five Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League titles, among other notable accolades under the Russian.

Their latest significant achievement came when they were crowned European champions after they lifted the UEFA Champions League 2020-21 title last season.

It goes without saying that the Blues have managed to attract some top footballers over the years. Stamford Bridge has been, and is, home to some of the Premier League's greatest players who have played a significant part in Chelsea's success in the 21st century.

On that note, let us take a look into the

6 most entertaining Chelsea players in Premier League history

#6 Florent Malouda

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea - FA Cup Semi Final inal T inal T inal T

Often underappreciated in his career, Florent Malouda enjoyed the peak of his career at Chelsea. The former French footballer was a thorough entertainer with his dazzling skills, assists and goals from the flanks at Stamford Bridge. He grew into a fan favorite under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti and helped Chelsea score a plethora of goals in the English top flight.

Malouda was immensely efficient in the final third, feeding Didier Drogba with sublime key passes, as well as by linking up with Frank Lampard. The winger's chemistry with Ashley Cole was also top notch and both wreaked havoc on opposing defenses with their marauding runs.

Malouda racked up 45 goals and 44 assists with the Blues. He helped the club win one Premier League title, one UEFA Champions League trophy and three FA Cups during his tenure at the club.

#5 Juan Mata

FC Bayern Muenchen v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League Final

Juan Mata remains one of the best Spaniards to ever set foot in the Premier League. The 33-year old was a livewire on the flanks at Chelsea, winning the Blues' Player of the Year award twice in 2012 and 2013. Mata went on to score 32 goals and racked up 58 assists for Chelsea.

It was not just the statistics but also the way Mata tormented defenses with his caliber. The Spanish playmaker possessed amazing vision and could easily dislodge defenses with his through balls. He was also a good dribbler and used to glide past defenders with utter ease.

Despite the brevity of Mata's tenure at Chelsea, he left an incredible mark and was a standout entertainer for the club.

#4 Gianfranco Zola

Gianfranco Zola was key to Chelsea's success in the early 2000s, helping the club evolve into a Premier League giant. During his seven-year stay at Chelsea, Zola racked up 75 goals and 20 assists, thus cementing his legacy as one of the most graceful players in Premier League history.

With countless skills in his arsenal, Zola knew more than one way to break defensive barriers. He was a relentless chance creator - a trait which helped him succeed as an attacking midfielder at Chelsea. The Italian was also blessed with a mixture of immaculate ball control and immense skill, making him a nightmare for any defense in the world.

At his peak, Zola was simply unstoppable. Defenders had a hard time snatching the ball away from his feet. There is little doubt that he was a complete entertainer, and is still remembered by fans and critics alike for his breathtaking displays.

#3 Didier Drogba

Chelsea v Spartak Moscow - UEFA Champions League

Former Chelsea superstar and the ultimate big-game player, Didier Drogba, remains one of the most prolific goalscorers in the Premier League era. The striker holds the record of scoring ten goals in ten finals and winning ten trophies.

With enormous power and precision, Drogba's shots frequently managed to find a way into the back of the net. His screamers from long range were also one of his virtues, which is why it was always a mistake to give him space with the ball. The forward was the true definition of a sharpshooter and had a penchant for being in the right place at the right time.

Drogba was always the fan favorite due to his habit of bringing out his very best at the biggest stages. In big games, Chelsea could always rely on Drogba to have an impact on the tie. The former Blues forward was merciless in front of goal, scoring 164 goals and assisting 87 more during his tenure at the club.

#2 Frank Lampard

Arguably the greatest player to ever play for Chelsea, Frank Lampard needs no introduction. He had a massive haul of 211 goals, which is still a record for any midfielder in the Premier League. The Chelsea legend was known for his screamers from outside the box which left fans and rivals speechless.

Besides his goals, Lampard was also a talented playmaker. Operating as an attacking midfielder, he was vicious with his thorough balls. Due to his impressive passing range, he used to set up goals for his teammates quite easily by utilizing spaces. He also had 150 assists under his belt for the Blues, which evidenced the midfielder's caliber.

During his 13 years at Chelsea, Lampard won three Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League title, among other notable achievements.

#1 Eden Hazard

Chelsea v Arsenal - UEFA Europa League Final

To say Eden Hazard was brilliant for Chelsea would be an understatement. With his jaw-dropping set of skills and charisma on the pitch, the Belgian was a total package. For the better part of the last decade, Hazard was key to the Blues' success and was undeniably one of the best players in the Premier League.

On the left flank, Hazard's dominance was undisputed. The 30-year old glided past defenders with such grace that it was extremely hard for the defenders to mark him. Besides his impact on the final third, he was also a playmaker and often dropped deep to create chances for his team.

Hazard is currently enduring a torrid time at Real Madrid, riddled with injuries. However, his exploits with Chelsea saw him score 110 goals and provide 92 assists during his tenure at the club.

About the author

A hardcore Mohunbagan fan who loves Brazil and Real Madrid.

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Edited by Aakanksh Sanketh