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Chelsea have established themselves as a European powerhouse after enjoying successful periods over the last two decades. Since their change of ownership in 2003, the Blues have won five Premier League titles and have been regular title contenders in the English top flight.
Chelsea have also demonstrated their progress on the European circuit and have won two Champions League titles. Their last European success came in the 2020-21 season, when Thomas Tuchel's side overcame all odds to become European Champions.
Dribbling as a skill is one of the most important aspects in football. Dribblers not only excite fans with their ability to humiliate defenders but also open up defenses by creating spaces.
Due to their success and financial might, Chelsea have seen a lot of terrific dribblers grace Stamford Bridge with their presence. On that note, let us take a look at
Chelsea's 5 best dribblers in Premier League history
Special mention: Willian and Mateo Kovacic.
#5 Juan Mata
It was not Juan Mata's statistics that won him the Chelsea Player of the Year award twice in 2012 and 2013. He had scored 32 goals across 117 games in those two seasons. But the Spaniard was a huge fan favorite during his brief tenure with the Blues due to his magical movements with the ball.
In addition to his vision, Mata was technically proficient with the ball which helped him get past defenders with utter ease. The 33-year-old was quick and always managed to find a way out with his left foot even when he was marked by defenders.
Mata's excellency lies in the fact that he is still remembered for his exploits on the pitch despite his brief tenure. The Spanish maestro beating defenders was a joy to watch in his prime. Mata went on to score 32 goals and racked up 58 assists for the club.
#4 Damien Duff
Damien Duff was one of the arrivals in 2003 for £17 million from Blackburn Rovers after Roman Abramovic took over. The Irish winger was a breath of fresh air for Chelsea, playing a pivotal role in the club's rise as a Premier League giant.
Duff, known for his daunting runs from the flanks, was a nightmare for the defenders. The Irish winger was extremely versatile and could operate from both flanks due to his ability to go either way with the ball. Duff formed a dangerous partnership with Arjen Robben and ridiculed defenders with relative ease.
During his four seasons at the club, Duff helped the Blues win two Premier League titles and one League Cup. For Chelsea, he scored 19 goals and provided 28 assists.
#3 Arjen Robben
Widely regarded as one of the best wingers of our generation, Arjen Robben was an unstoppable dribbling machine at his peak. The Dutchman's tenure at Chelsea is often underappreciated but he left his mark at Stamford Bridge with his mastery on the ball.
With a unique mixture of dribbling and pace, defenders always found it hard to mark Robben. The Dutch winger used to brush past defenders by cutting inside from the left and opening up defenses with his runs. Robben cutting inside from the left flank later became a familiar nightmare for defenders.
Robben spent three years at Chelsea from 2004 to 2007, and racked up 19 goals and 22 assists. He was riddled with injuries at Stamford Bridge but helped the Blues win two Premier League titles.
#2 Eden Hazard
One of the greatest wingers to set foot in the Premier League, Eden Hazard was the most vital part of Chelsea in the last decade. In his seven years with the Blues, the Belgian racked up a whopping 110 goals and 92 assists for the club.
Operating on the left wing, Hazard's presence was undeniable. Grace, flair, skill - he had everything it took to beat defenders. The 30-year-old could move either way with his dribbling and was a force to be reckoned with at the flanks. Even tackles from his opponents were not enough to stop Hazard when he was on song.
Hazard was the player who made Chelsea tick in the final third. He would often drop deep, take the ball and glide past his opponents to inititate attacks. In addition to his crazy dribbling skills, the Belgian winger was a creative fulcrum due to his vision.
At his peak, Hazard was a joy to watch. Numerous titles and individual accolades are testament to his legendary status for the Blues.
#1 Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola was one of the players who was inspired by the great Diego Maradona after spending a brief tenure as the Argentine's teammate at Napoli. His inspiration might explain the cause of opponents' fright when they saw the Italian with the ball.
Zola had a bag full of tricks which helped him glide past defenders effortlessly. The Italian was renowned for tormenting defenses with his runs, making it impossible for the defenders to mark him. With his jaw-dropping highlights of skill, Zola would make a fool out of defenders in no time.
Zola was the one who helped Chelsea grow into what they are today. For the Blues, the Italian legend remains one of their best players in history.
