'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
There is a new German in town. Chelsea have finally announced the signing of Kai Havertz from Bayern Munich. The talented young attacking midfielder will be the second German to join the Blues this season after Timo Werner.
There have been a handful of Germans who have worn the famous blue jersey of Chelsea in the past. Some of the names have earned a special place in the heart of the Chelsea faithful while some have failed to live up to expectations.
With that in mind, here is a ranking of every German to play for the Blues since the inception of the league in 1992, apart from Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
(Note: Sebastian Kneissl, although signed by Chelsea in 2000, has been excluded from the list as he never actually played in the Premier League)
#5 Marko Marin
Once touted as a generational talent, Marko Marin now belongs to the 'what-if' list in football. Marin arrived at Chelsea in 2012 after having impressed with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen. The German, though, never lived up to his expectations at the Bridge.
Marin hardly spent much time at Chelsea despite being their player for five seasons. Several injuries, coupled with his failure to break into the star-studded Chelsea midfield, saw the German spend four of the five seasons away from the club on loan.
In his first and only season playing for Chelsea, Marin made six appearances and scored one goal.
#4 Robert Huth
People tend to forget that Robert Huth started his career at Chelsea. The now-retired defender was one of the players who felt the brunt of the Roman Abramovich revolution. Despite making his Chelsea debut at the age of 17, Huth never really established himself in the first team.
The German was a bit-part player throughout his Chelsea career. By the time he started establishing himself, the Abramovich revolution had begun. The arrival of Jose Mourinho and his several recruits restricted game-time for the big German.
Robert Huth left Chelsea in 2006 after four seasons at the club. During this period, the defender made 40 league appearances and won the Premier League twice.
Also Read: Ranking 5 of the best Brazilians to play for Chelsea in the Premier League
#3 Andre Schurrle
It does not seem long ago that a young Andre Schurrle's assists helped Germany clinch their fourth World Cup. Fast forward ten years and the German is far away from the pressures of professional football and happily retired.
Schurrle arrived at Chelsea in 2013 after Mourinho handpicked him. The winger had an excellent debut, scoring eight goals in the league. His scintillating runs and hard-working mentality made him a favourite at the Bridge.
The next season saw Schurrle arriving as a World Cup winner but he was never the same player that went to the World Cup.
Schurrle left the club in 2015, citing a lack of game-time. However, in reality, it was more of a dip in form rather than Mourinho's refusal to give him playing time that resulted in his transfer.
In just one-and-a-half seasons, Schurrle made 44 Premier League appearances and scored eleven goals. He also won the 2014/15 Premier League title after having made the necessary number of appearances before moving to Wolfsburg during the January transfer window.
#2 Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger joined Chelsea in 2017 following impressive spells at Roma and Stuttgart. The towering defender was an integral part of Antonio Conte's 3-5-2 system in his debut season.
Despite a change in management, the German still played a crucial role for the Blues during their Europa League triumph. Last season though, Rudiger came under quite a bit of criticism. Along with Kepa Arrizabalaga, the centre-back was at fault for many of Chelsea's defensive lapses.
With Chelsea signing Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr this season, it's quite obvious that the Blues have doubts about Rudiger.
#1 Michael Ballack
Michael Ballack is undoubtedly the greatest German player to play for Chelsea in the Premier League. He arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2006 on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.
Despite having been in his early 30s, Ballack - when fit - was one of the best performers for the Blues. His versatility, calmness and leadership skills made him a manager's delight. His thunderous long rangers and mentality made him a fan-favourite at west London.
Michael Ballack left Chelsea in 2010 after making 105 appearances and scoring 16 goals in the Premier League for the club. The German won a host of trophies with the Blues, including a Premier League title during his four-year stint at the club.
Also Read: How Chelsea FC could line up in the 2020-21 season
