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Since Roman Abramovich became Chelsea owner 18 years ago, the Blues have tasted success in abundance. They have not been afraid to take a short term approach to success and that has yielded results for them in various ways. Under the Russian's reign, Chelsea haven't been shy about showing the door to their managers.
With all those managerial changes came new philosophies and strategies to steer the ship at Chelsea, which weren't to the liking of many players. Some fell out with their gaffers, some simply did not fit into the system. There were also instances when the managers ran out of patience with certain players.
Chelsea have one of the most expensive squads in Europe
Under Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea are the Champions of Europe and one would feel they have one of the strongest squads on the continent. But nothing is ever too perfect. There are players that Chelsea have let go of and in hindsight. there are some exceptional ones about whom the Blues management might have second thoughts now.
So we decided to rub a little salt on those wounds, if we may say so by presenting the most valuable XI let go by Chelsea as of October 2021:
GK - Thibaut Courtois (€60m)
The lanky Belgian served at Chelsea from 2014 to 2018, after returning from a three-year loan spell at Atletico Madrid that consisted of two 12-month extensions. Thibaut Courtois won the Premier League on his return in 2014-15 under Jose Mourinho's reign and then in 2017 with Antonio Conte at the helm.
Last season, he went up against Chelsea in a Real Madrid shirt for the first time since leaving. Over the course of two ties, Courtois conceded three goals to the Blues as Los Blancos bowed out of the Champions League with the scoreline reading 3-1 on aggregate.
Courtois always desired to move to Madrid and Los Blancos were his dream side. In his second season with Real, he helped them to the La Liga title by conceding just 19 goals in 34 games he played.
2018 was the best year for the former Chelsea goalkeeper, who contributed massively as Belgium achieved their personal best third position in a World Cup. He won the Golden Glove in Russia, which also helped him win the FIFA Best goalkeeper award.
LB - Nathan Ake (€32m)
Nathan Ake joined Chelsea at a young age of 15 and made his Premier League debut at 17 in 2012. Since emerging at Chelsea, Ake has established his image as a utility player in the backline. He prefers a centre-back role, but has frequently been deputized at left-back and sometimes even as a central defensive midfielder.
The early signs were positive and after winning Chelsea's young player of the year award in 2013, the Dutchman must have thought he would settle into the side well. The Blues wanted to give Ake all the time to develop and loan moves to Reading, Watford and Bournemouth followed before he transferred permanently to the latter.
The former Chelsea man was always praised for his work ethic and his sincerity. Currently employed at Manchester City, Ake is not the first name on the starting sheet. However, he does get decent game time from the bench and remains an integral squad player.
CB - Fikayo Tomori (€40m)
It is difficult to understand why Chelsea let go of Fikayo Tomori without really putting up a fight but eventually it seems like a win-win for all parties. The Chelsea graduate was the subject of three loan moves to the Championship after making his debut in 2016.
He returned to first-team action in 2019 with the Blues and soon opened his account with an unlikely long-range curler against Wolves. With Frank Lampard's arrival, there was some promise of breaking into the first team for Tomori but the chances were limited.
After Tuchel's arrival, Tomori was loaned to AC Milan in January 2021 with an option to buy. Little did the 23-year old know he'd be the heartbeat of Milan's defense and finally get to settle for good. Tomori's explosive pace and aggressive defending have impressed Milan director Paolo Maldini and former Milan boss Fabio Capello. The Rossoneri triggered the option to make his move permanent earlier this summer.
CB - Kurt Zouma (€32m)
Kurt Zouma ended his seven-and-a-half-year-long association with Chelsea in the summer transfer window after joining high-flying West Ham United. Zouma scored on his Chelsea debut in 2014 and throughout his time at the club remained a threat to the opposition in set-piece situations.
During his time at Chelsea, Zouma won the Premier League title twice in 2015 and then in 2017. In his first season with Chelsea he was named the young player of the season. The France international managed a handsome tally of 151 appearances for Chelsea and netted 10 goals.
He has made four appearances for West Ham so far and it is quite evident that Zouma is more suited to a back four system than Tuchel's back-three at Chelsea. He will hope that he gets regular game time so the 26-year old can break into the France starting XI on a regular basis.
RB - Juan Cuadrado (€16m)
Juan Cuadrado has had to redefine his playing style in order to stay relevant to changing times at Juventus. He has predominantly started in the right-back position in the last few years and has been excellent. It is quite commendable since he eventually started off as a winger.
At 33, he's still meeting the intense demands of the game in Serie A and is one of the few positives in an otherwise weakening Juventus squad. Cuadrado was signed by Chelsea in 2015 following his impressive showing at the 2014 World Cup. This was a player plus cash deal and the player going the other way was, wait for it...Mohamed Salah!
In Tuchel's 3-4-3 system today that thrives on adventurous wing-backs, Cuadrado would have been quite successful with his directness and his ability to go up and down the flanks. The Colombian only made a mere 15 appearances for Chelsea and his only goal contribution was an assist in a Premier League game.
LM - Eden Hazard (€25m)
It is beyond explanation how a man who missed only a little over 20 games for Chelsea has struggled to play 20 games a season for Real Madrid. Eden Hazard was Real Madrid's most expensive Galactico signing and he went from being the most expensive, to being the most disappointing.
Consistent injuries and a lack of impact have kept Hazard's involvement in the Real jersey to a minimum. He has only featured in 51 games for Los Blancos and has made 14 goal contributions.
Hazard has been steadily picking up on his form this season. However, the UEFA Nations League semi-final against France proved that clocking a full 90 mins was beyond the Belgian. It could be too little too late in Hazard's case as reports emerge that Madrid are interested in offloading him from their wage books.
The former Blues winger will definitely go down in Chelsea's history as one of their best ever players. He made 352 appearances for the west London side and scored 110 goals. Will Chelsea risk bringing one of their own back to Stamford Bridge?
CM - Kevin De Bruyne (€100m)
Londoners only have to turn their faces towards Manchester to see week in and week out the midfield beast whose leave was sanctioned by the club. Kevin De Bruyne is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after midfielders in world football right now. If he were available tomorrow, the biggest clubs would want to welcome him with a red carpet.
De Bruyne left Chelsea due to no guarantees of first-team football and a rumored clash with then boss Jose Mourinho. The Belgian felt undervalued at Chelsea and left for Wolfsburg in 2014 where he showcased his true quality and genius.
Manchester City splashed €75 million to avail his services and the rest is history. The Belgian has faced the Blues 15 times since leaving and has been on the winning team eight times. He has also scored four times against them and provided one assist.
De Bruyne has won three Premier League titles with Manchester City and was their player of the season thrice.
CM - Declan Rice (€70m)
It is no secret that both Manchester United and Chelsea are fighting for the signature of Declan Rice. The giants of the Premier League have seen huge potential in the central midfielder, who is excellent at guarding the backline. At 22, Rice is a reliable purchase and has the capacity to serve any of the top four clubs for a long time.
On West Ham's comeback in the Europa League, Rice scored on his debut on the European stage. It was also the midfielder's 150th appearance for West Ham, and he has clearly shown maturity beyond his years with the captain's armband.
Rice joined the youth ranks at Chelsea when he was only seven and left the Blues to join the Clarets' academy in 2014. However, the English midfielder realizes that he is valued and rated very highly in England and this is the right time to take the next step.
At Euro 2020, he formed a formidable midfielder partnership with Kalvin Phillips and the pair, with their relentless workrate, made it really difficult for teams to penetrate England's backline. With N'Golo Kante and Jorginho both nearing their 30s, this deal will prove to benefit Chelsea for years to come if it happens.
RM - Mohamed Salah (€100m)
If you ask Chelsea fans to name the first image that comes to mind when they hear the word 'regret', chances are that most of them will answer Mohamed Salah. Such has been the Egypt international's impact in the Premier League since making his return from AS Roma that he has well and truly made the league all about himself.
Another gem that departed Chelsea under Jose Mourinho's reign in 2014, Chelsea had an embarrassment of riches in attack and that did not allow Salah enough time to flourish. The 2016-17 season was the breakthrough season for Salah, who scored 19 goals in all competitions for Roma.
The following season, Liverpool came calling and signed the Egyptian, who is breaking records for fun with the Reds. His current Liverpool tally stands at 135 goals scored and 51 assists provided in 213 games for the Reds. Salah has started the season in blistering form and has already registered seven goals and four assists in the Premier League.
ST - Tammy Abraham (€38m)
Some players left because they had to deal with Jose Mourinho's presence at Chelsea, while Tammy Abraham left because he was attracted by Mourinho's aura at Roma. Chelsea made around £34 million with Abraham's sales and got rid of a player who was mostly the backup to the backup centre-forward.
Abraham spoke positively about the role the Portuguese manager offered him and clearly he has been allowed to express himself on the pitch more freely than at Chelsea.
In his seven Serie A appearances, the 24 year-old has so far managed two goals and two assists. He also made a return to the England squad in their World Cup Qualifier and scored against Andorra. Chelsea have not given up on their young starlet completely and his €80 million buy-back clause is a testament to that.
It will be interesting to see how Abraham develops in Rome over the next few seasons. Undoubtedly, he has the potential to turn heads with his performances.
ST - Alvaro Morata (€45m)
Alvaro Morata has never truly had the credentials to contest as the main centre-forward at many of the leading clubs he has been to, and his Chelsea spell was no different. The Spaniard arrived at Chelsea following a 20-goal season at Real Madrid in 2017 but could not replicate the same form.
Morata had a hard time adjusting to Sarri-ball due to his directness and shoot-at-sight nature. Additionally, Morata wasn't the strongest striker in front of goal and going shoulder to shoulder with the defenders wasn't exactly his cup of tea. His two-year Chelsea spell consisted of 72 appearances in which he netted 24 goals.
Luis Enrique has shown his faith in the Spanish striker and he persisted with him at Euro 2020 as Morata delivered a few decent performances. He is on loan at Juventus at the moment and last year in Serie A he formed a decent partnership upfront with Cristiano Ronaldo where he scored 10 and assisted a further 11 goals.
However, with Ronaldo having left Juventus, Morata has been deprieved of an excellent partner in front of goal. The Spaniard has netted three goals in eight appearances across all competitions this season.
