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Chelsea are one of the top clubs in English and European football. The London giants are one of only three teams to have won at least five Premier League titles and are also the reigning European champions.
Since their takeover by billionaire Roman Abramovich in the early 2000s, the Blues have become a force to be reckoned with both in England and Europe. In 2012, they won their first Champions League title, and doubled it nearly a decade later.
Thomas Tuchel's men recently added the FIFA Club World Cup to their impressive trophy cabinet. In the process, they became only the fifth team to win all major trophies in club football.
Considering their rich history and pedigree, numerous fine players have turned up for the club. Their current squad is no different and has a plethora of quality personnel across positions. Despite the club hierarchy's lack of patience with underperforming players and coaches in recent years, some of the Blues' standout performers are enjoying extended spells with the club.
On that note, here's a look at the five longest-serving players at Stamford Bridge at the moment:
#5 Antonio Rudiger - 4 years, 7 months
Antonio Rudiger arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2017, but it's only recently that he has become a mainstay in their starting lineup.
The 28-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best goalscoring centre-backs in the game at the moment. In almost 200 appearances across competitions for the Blues, the Germany international has bagged ten goals and seven assists.
Rudiger was a fringe player under Frank Lampard and was on the cusp of an exit from the club. However, under his compatriot Tuchel, the defender has enjoyed a second wind, playing a key role in the Blues' Champions League triumph last season.
With his contract expiring this summer, Rudiger is on the radar of many top European clubs. It remains to be seen if Chelsea will accede to his wage demands to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
#4 Marcos Alonso - 5 years, 5 months
Marcos Alonso has been at Chelsea since arriving from Fiorentina in the summer of 2016.
The 31-year-old has made nearly 200 appearances across competitions for the Blues, contributing 26 goals and 20 assists. Earlier this season, the set-piece specialist netted Chelsea's 50th direct free-kick goal of the Premier League era.
However, Alonso is not the first-choice left-back at Stamford Bridge. He's only been getting game time recently, as Ben Chilwell suffered a season-ending injury late last year.
Contracted with the club until 2023, the Spain international is widely tipped to leave Stamford Bridge in the near future.
#3 N'Golo Kante - 5 years, 6 months
N'Golo Kante has been a key player for Chelsea since arriving from then-Premier League winners Leicester City in the summer of 2016.
The Frenchman made an immediate mark at Stamford Bridge, helping the Blues to the league title. Widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the game, Kante has made nearly 250 appearances for his current employers, scoring 13 times and providing 12 assists.
He was a key player in their Champions League triumph last season. Kante won a fifth trophy with the club when the Blues beat Palmeiras to win their first FIFA Club World Cup title last week.
The Frenchman's contract expires next summer, with the Blues likely to extend his stay at the club.
#2 Andreas Christensen - 6 years, 7 months
Andreas Christensen has been at Chelsea since his arrival from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2017.
Still only 25, the Danish centre-back has had a stop-start career at Stamford Bridge. Christensen has made only 150 appearances across competitions for the Blues, scoring twice and assisting as many times. Both his strikes have come this season, though.
With his contract running out this summer, Christensen, one of the lowest-paid players at the club, is all set to leave Stamford Bridge on a free transfer.
#1 Cesar Azpilicueta - 9 years 5 months
Cesar Azpilicueta has had a successful near-decade-long stay at Stamford Bridge. Since arriving from Marseille in the summer of 2012, the 32-year-old centre-back has made over 450 appearances for the Blues.
The Spaniard recently became the first Chelsea player to win all major trophies in club football with the Blues after his team beat Palmeiras in the FIFA Club World Cup final last week. Azpilicueta is a two-time Premier League and Europa League winner with the Blues. He has also won the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
The Chelsea captain is out of contract this summer, but has refused to address speculation about his future in recent interviews. Recent reports have strongly linked him to a return to Spain with Barcelona.
