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Chelsea are one of the most successful clubs in the Premier League, especially since the turn of the century.
The takeover of the club by billionaire Roman Abramovich in early 2000s has sparked a change in the club's fortunes. Thanks to treble-winning manager Jose Mourinho and a plethora of world-class players, Chelsea have become a force to be reckoned with.
It's been four years since the Blues last won the league title. However, they won the Champions League last term, and are leading the Premier League table after seven games this season. They splurged this summer, spending over €100 million to bolster their ranks, and the results have been there for everyone to see.
Thomas Tuchel's men are among the bonafide contenders for the league title. They are also expected to make a splash in Europe, if not go all the way again. On that note, here's a look at the five most valuable Chelsea players at the moment.
Note: All player valuations and stats are as per transfermarkt unless mentioned otherwise.
#5 N'Golo Kante - €55 million
N'Golo Kante is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the game at the moment.
The Frenchman first rose to prominence in 2015-16 when he starred in Leicester City's fairy-tale Premier League triumph. There has been no looking back for Kante from there, especially after Chelsea snapped him up that summer.
Kante has won almost every major title with club and country. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has played over 200 games for Chelsea, making 22 goal contributions (ten goals, 12 assists). But it's his impact in the middle of the park that has caught the attention. He was a standout performer in the Blues' run to the Champions League title last season.
The 30-year-old will look to continue his stellar exploits this season as Chelsea eye their sixth Premier League title, their first in five years.
#4 Timo Werner - €55 million
Timo Werner has had a rather modest stint at Chelsea after his blistering goalscoring exploits with Leipzig.
The German arrived at Chelsea last summer with great fanfare, but endured a difficult first season in the English top flight. However, he did make up for his lack of goals with a healthy assists tally. Werner scored 12 times across competitions last season, but also tallied 15 assists.
Werner has opened his account for the season, scoring once and assisting once in eight games across competitions.
However, Tuchel will want his younger compatriot to rediscover his mojo and play a key role in Chelsea's quest for big titles this season.
#3 Kai Havertz - €70 million
Chelsea's Kai Havertz is one of the most exciting young players in the game. However, the Bayer Leverkusen prodigy endured a modest debut campaign at Chelsea last season after arriving on a big-money transfer.
In 45 games across competitions, the 22-year-old scored just nine times. Havertz, though, endeared himself to the Chelsea faithful by scoring the winner in the Champions League final against Manchester City. In the process, he could not have chosen a more opportune moment to open his Champions League account.
The Germany international has opened his account for the season, scoring once in eight games across competitions. However, Havertz is expected to improve on his exploits last season as Chelsea eye silverware in multiple competitions.
#2 Mason Mount - €75 million
Mason Mount is one of the most exciting players to have emerged from Chelsea's academy in the last few years.
The Englishman made his Chelsea debut under Frank Lampard in 2019-20, and has already become a key player for the club. Mount has already accumulated more than 100 games across competitions for Chelsea, making 33 goal contributions (16 goals, 17 assists).
The 22-year-old impressed in the middle of the park last season, creating a decent number of chances. Mount scored nine goals and assisted as many times as Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Champions League.
Mount is yet to get off the mark in nine games across competitions this term. But the Englishman is expected to play a key role as Chelsea eye their first Premier League title in five years.
#1 Romelu Lukaku - €100 million
Romelu Lukaku is arguably one of the hottest strikers on the planet. After playing a key role in Inter Milan's first Scudetto triumph in 11 years last season, Lukaku has hit the ground running at Chelsea.
Acquired by the Blues in one of the biggest signings of the season, Lukaku scored on his second debut for the club. Two games later, the 28-year-old netted a brace as Chelsea became only the second team to rack up 600 Premier League match wins.
Lukaku is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, with over 100 strikes in the competition. He's expected to produce a prolific season in front of goal as the Blues strive to end their five-year league drought.
