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Chelsea have been one of the most successful English clubs since the turn of the century.
Since winning their second English league title, first in the Premier League era, in 2004-05 under Jose Mourinho, Chelsea have triumphed four more times in the competition besides winning a bevy of domestic titles. The Blues have also tasted success in the Champions League (once) and in the Europa League (twice) during the last two decades.
5 players you didn't know played for Chelsea
Considering the recent history of Chelsea and their growing stature in domestic competitions and Europe, a number of fine players have turned up for the club over the years.
However, as is the case at times, some players failed to make a mark at the club or had largely forgettable stints but went on to enjoy greater success elsewhere. On that note, let us have a look at five such players in no particular.
#5 Deco
Deco is one of the most illustrious names in Portuguese football, but the attacking midfielder only provided fleeting glimpses of his talent during his two-season stint at Chelsea in the late 2000s.
After successful stints at Porto and Barcelona, where he made a name as a world-class player in midfield, Deco had a largely underwhelming stint with Chelsea despite helping the club to a league and cup double in 2009-10.
A combination of injuries, loss of form and inconsistency meant that Deco never became a darling of Stamford Bridge. Chelsea fans often wonder what might have been had the Portuguese international arrived at the club a few years earlier than he eventually did.
Deco moved to Brazilian club Fluminense in 2010 and called time on his career three years later.
#4 Didier Deschamps
Arguably one of the finest defensive midfielders of all time, France's 1998 World Cup-winning captain Didier Deschamps is not remembered by many for his short stint at Chelsea in 1999-2000.
After successful spells with Marseille and Juventus, where Deschamps made his name as a defensive midfielder of repute, the Frenchman arrived at Stamford Bridge when he was apparently past his prime and struggled to make the kind of impact he would have liked to.
Nevertheless, Didier Deschamps won the FA Cup during his lone season at Chelsea and also scored in the Champions League against Hertha Berlin. The Frenchman left Stamford Bridge in 2000 and played a season at Valencia before hanging up his boots at the age of 32.
#3 Alexandre Pato
For someone who evoked comparisons with the legendary Pele, former Chelsea player Alexandre Pato has had a largely underwhelming career despite making a promising start at AC Milan.
Injuries and subsequent loss of form meant that Milan jettisoned the young Brazilian striker. Pato was never the same player again as he struggled to score goals with any kind of regularity.
While with Corinthians, Pato arrived for a short loan spell at Chelsea in 2016. However, the move turned out to be an unmitigated disaster, as the Brazilian appeared short of fitness and sharpness in front of goal. When he was fit, Pato struggled to deal with the physicality of the Premier League and left Chelsea after playing only two games.
It is, however, worth noting that like with Milan, Brazil and Corinthians, Pato also scored on his Chelsea debut, but that was as good as it got for the player at Stamford Bridge.
Incredibly, Pato is only 31 and still has time on his side to have a last hurrah with a top European club, but that looks very unlikely to happen.
#2 Ricardo Quaresma
For a player who played at Porto, Inter Milan and Barcelona, Ricardo Quaresma had a forgettable stint at Chelsea. It was as if Quaresma never turned up for the Stamford Bridge club at all.
After a forgettable 2007-08 campaign at Inter Milan, a loan move to Chelsea could have rejuvenated the Portuguese winger's career. However, it would not be an understatement to say that Quaresma was a massive disappointment at Chelsea.
The player appeared in only five games for the club all season before he rejoined his parent club, Inter.
Inconsistency and perhaps a lack of temperament blighted the career of Quaresma, who failed to do justice to his mercurial ability on the ball. The 37-year-old, who is long past his prime, now plies his trade at Vittoria Guimaraes, whom he joined earlier this year.
#1 Radamel Falcao
Radamel Falcao was nicknamed 'El Tigre' for his exploits in the Europa League, but the striker had a miserable stint in the Premier League, first with Manchester United and then with Chelsea.
Radamel Falcao joined Chelsea on loan in 2015 after a disappointing spell at Manchester United. However, more disappointment was in store for the Colombian.
Persistent injuries meant that Falcao appeared only five times for Chelsea, with his lone goal for the club coming in a 1-2 Premier League loss to Crystal Palace.
Falcao returned to Monaco the next season and regained his scoring touch but has never been the same player he once was. The 34-year-old striker presently plays for Turkish club, Galatasaray.
