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When Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003, they were still a consistent team who vied for Champions League football. However, since the takeover, the club has won 13 major trophies and has remained one of the powerhouses in English football.
Chelsea has been everpresent as a top club during the last decade. Despite constant managerial changes and some club legends departing, Stamford Bridge is one place which has always seen trophies. With two Premier League titles and two FA Cups this decade, Chelsea is also the only London club to win the Champions League.
Here, we take a look at the best of the best that have represented the Blues this decade, as we create a team of the decade for the club.
Note - Only performances this decade (from the beginning of 2010) have been taken into account. Therefore, the likes of Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, and Ashley Cole miss out.
Defence
Goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois
Sorry Petr Cech, but it is no debate that as far as this decade is concerned, Thibaut Courtois was the best goalkeeper to play for Chelsea. On loan at Atletico Madrid for almost four seasons, Courtois became a first-team player for the Blues in the 2014-15 season. In his first season, the Belgian won the League Cup and the Premier League, and his performances in all competitions were applauded.
Courtois would win the Premier League again under Antonio Conte, as well as an FA Cup. Overall, he played 156 games for the Blues and during that time, he barely made any mistakes as he established himself as one of the best in the world.
Right-back - Branislav Ivanovic
With over 350 appearances for the Blues over ten seasons, Branislav Ivanovic is one of the most consistent and hard-working players to have played at Stamford Bridge this decade. He was part of the team which won the Champions League in 2012 and has been involved with over 65 goals for the club.
A versatile defender who could play as a centre-back as well as a right-back, Ivanovic wore the Chelsea shirt with pride. At his peak, the defender was a brilliant offensive threat and was adept at stopping most forwards he came up against.
He has won a lot with the club, and although his form declined over his last season, there is no doubt that he deserves to make this team.
Centre-back - John Terry
Spending almost two decades with the club, John Terry is Chelsea's most successful captain and player. Although his peak came before 2010, Terry was a rock at the back for Chelsea for about half of this decade.
A crucial part of their Champions League-winning team and the best defender during the 2014-15 Premier League victory, the former England international is arguably the greatest Chelsea player of all time.
Terry is one of the best defenders of this era, and he also holds the record for being the highest-scoring defender in PL history. This decade, he made the PFA TOTY in 2015, and Chelsea is yet to find a centre-back as consistent as this man.
Centre-back - Gary Cahill
Signed in 2012, Gary Cahill slotted right next to John Terry at the heart of Chelsea's defence and was a crucial part of their Champions League campaign in 2012. He was praised for his performance in the final in 2012, and that set the tone for the rest of his Chelsea career, as a dependable defender who was a good leader at the back.
During his first five seasons, he was a constant at the Chelsea backline despite managerial changes and tactical switches. He left the Blues this summer after spending seven years at Stamford Bridge, and winning everything there is to win.
Left-back - Cesar Azpilicueta
Signed right after Chelsea's Champions League triumph, Cesar Azpilicueta is one of the most versatile and consistent players the league has seen this decade. A brilliant defender who can play almost anywhere at the back, Azpilicueta is currently the longest-serving player of this current Chelsea team. He is the captain of the Blues right now and has made over 350 appearances for the team.
For the past season or so, the Spaniard has not been at his very best. However, that does not take away from the fact that he has been one of the most underrated players for the past few years.
He won the Chelsea Player of the Year Award in 2014 and was named in the Europa League squad of the season for 2018/19. His future at the club remains uncertain, but his service has been absolute.
Also check out: EPL fixtures EPL table Champions League table
Midfield
Defensive midfielder - N'Golo Kante
This one is a no-brainer. Joining Chelsea in 2016 after winning the league with Leicester City, N'Golo Kante was Chelsea's best player in his first season as he led them to the Premier League crown under Antonio Conte. For that season, he was named the PFA Player of the Year.
Currently, Chelsea's best player, Kante has been the most consistent defensive midfielder in the world for the past few seasons and his presence in the middle of the park is invaluable. Although not a physically intimidating guy, Kante's persistence, positioning, stamina, and vision, have made him one of the best players in the Premier League.
An easy addition to this list, the £32 million which the Blues paid for him three years ago seems nothing in comparison to his value now.
Centre-midfielder - Cesc Fabregas
Signed by Chelsea from Barcelona in 2014, the former Arsenal captain experienced some of the best days of his career at Stamford Bridge. In a deeper creative role which utilised his amazing vision, he excelled in Chelsea's new style of play under Jose Mourinho, where he proved to be an effective assist-provider.
Fabregas had an amazing eye for a pass, as well as great technique on the ball which made him a brilliant midfielder during his time with the Blues.
He became the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League assists, and he played a vital role in both of Chelsea's league title victories.
Fabregas left the club in January having spent five amazing years at Stamford Bridge and established himself as an all-time Premier League great.
Attacking-midfielder - Juan Mata
Chelsea fans were heartbroken when they found out that Juan Mata was being sold by the club. Although he played for the Blues for only three seasons, it would be unfair to leave the Spaniard from this list.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, Mata won the Champions League, Europa League, and the FA Cup with Chelsea.
He was named Chelsea Player of the Year for 2011-12 and 2012-13 and was named into the PFA Team of the Year for the 2012-13 season. With 33 goals and 58 assists in 135 appearances, Mata was Chelsea's best player for the three years he was there.
It was only due to differences with Jose Mourinho that he was sold - who knew how his Chelsea career would have been otherwise?
Attack
Winger - Willian
Over the past two seasons, there have been some doubts regarding Willian's ability and form. However, nothing should be taken away from the Brazilan winger, who has scored 55 goals and provided over 30 assists for the Blues over the past six years.
Willian is a pacy and agile forward who can dribble well and is a good set-piece taker. It was in 2015-16 when the Brazilian came into his own and was named Chelsea's Player of the Year that season.
Despite his inconsistency on occasions, Willian has proved time and again that he is an offensive threat for the Blues.
His longevity and service to the club earn him a spot on this team, and it is well deserved.
Striker - Diego Costa
Diego Costa is one of those players who you hate unless he is playing for your team. A hard-working, aggressive and clinical striker who could wind almost anyone up, Costa is Chelsea's most prolific striker this decade.
With 59 goals scored in 120 appearances, Costa was a big-game player for the Blues who crossed the 20 goal mark twice in his three years in the Premier League.
A two-time Premier League winner, the Spanish international was named into the PFA TOTY for the 2014-15 season.
He was a menace to go up against, and despite staying in London for only three seasons, the impact he had was immense.
Only one player has scored more goals for Chelsea this decade, and nobody was as clinical as this striker.
Winger - Eden Hazard
Easily Chelsea's best player this decade, Eden Hazard is in the conversation for the greatest Chelsea player ever. In his seven seasons at the club, Hazard led them to a bunch of trophies and won several individual awards.
The latter included the PFA Player of the Year, PFA Young Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year, and the list goes on.
Hazard's pace, dribbling, passing, and finishing have made him one of the best players in the world. A nuclear weapon up-front, Hazard was involved in over 160 goals during his time at Chelsea and was loved by the fans at Stamford Bridge.
After years of service and giving it his all to the club, the Belgian international left for his dream club Real Madrid this summer. Chelsea fans will always remember him as one of the best to ever grace their club.
