5 most underrated players in Chelsea's history

#3 Carlo Cudicini

Carlo Cudicini called time on his Stamford Bridge career in 2009

When it comes to goalkeepers, Chelsea fans rarely look beyond club greats Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois. They don't realise what a great servant Carlo Cudicini was to the club.

Signed for a paltry £300,000 in 1999, Cudicini was limited to just 3 appearances in his debut season but began to make his presence felt soon after. By 2001, he was firmly a part of the first team following some sublime showings in between the sticks.

From then on, there was no looking back for Cudicini, who won Chelsea’s Player of the Year award in 2002 as well as the ITV’s Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season award, sealing his status as one of the best keepers in the world.

The Italian’s penalty-saving skills were second to none, with Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy counting as some of the players who have failed to get past Cudicini from the spot.

However, Cech’s arrival meant that Cudicini was relegated to the bench. Instead of moving on, he became quite comfortable as an understudy, with The Telegraph going as far as naming him the world’s most unambitious footballer back in 2008.

Cudicini finally called time on his Stamford Bridge career in 2009 and spent the rest of his playing days as an understudy with Tottenham Hotspur and LA Galaxy.

While he was underrated by his club as well as his country, the role he played in Chelsea winning 2 FA Cups, 2 League Cups and 2 Community Shields will never be forgotten by history.

#2 Ramires

Ramires was integral to Chelsea's success during his six-year stint at the club

Ramires was rarely talked about with as much awe as his contemporaries during his six-year stint with Chelsea, which is an absolute injustice considering how important he was to the team.

Signed from Benfica for £22 million in 2010, Ramires quickly proved to be a terrific signing after some industrious performances in midfield. His tremendous work rate ensured that he gave it his all, whether in the engine room or on the right wing.

Within five years of his arrival, Ramires won everything there was to win with Chelsea in the form of a Premier League, a Champions League, an FA Cup, a Football League Cup and a Europa League.

Ramires, who scored some sublime goals, even won Chelsea’s Goal of the Year award on two consecutive occasions – the latter being for his outrageous chip over Victor Valdes in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2012.

While not everyone remembers how integral he was to Chelsea, his teammates – who voted him as the Players’ Player of the Season – and the fans certainly do.

#1 John Obi Mikel

John Obi Mikel was one of Chelsea’s best ever signings in the modern era

John Obi Mikel arrived in England under a cloud of controversy, having originally signed with Manchester United before Chelsea entered the frame. However, when the dust settled and Mikel emerged as a Chelsea player, there was no looking back for the youngster.

After winning back-to-back Chelsea Young Player of the Year awards, Mikel soon established himself as an integral part of the Blues’ engine room, proving to be an excellent replacement for Claude Makélélé – which is by no means an easy task.

In 11 years of service, Mikel won all there was to win in club football, having lifted 2 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, 1 Champions League, 1 Europa League, 1 League Cup and 1 Community shield with the Blues.

Many people underappreciate Mikel’s contributions because of the unfancied position he played in. However, the fact remains that the Nigerian was one of Chelsea’s best ever signings in the modern era.