'%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)
Chelsea have experienced what might be described as a rollercoaster ride in the January transfer window since its introduction in the 2002/03 season.
Traditionally, clubs across Europe, Chelsea included, have used January transfer window as an avenue to bolster their squads for the second half of the season.
Last season, Premier League clubs splashed out a mind-blowing £230 million in the January transfer window. While some signings have failed to live up to expectations, others have been instant successes.
Five best January signings in Chelsea's history
Chelsea have had their fair share of ups and downs in the winter window; the likes of Franco Di Santo, Scott Parker and Ricardo Quaresma are best forgotten.
On the other hand, Gary Cahill is a prime example of a player who came to Stamford Bridge mid-season and stamped their name in the club’s history books.
With the 2020-21 January transfer window drawing to a close, let us look at five January signings who have stood out in Chelsea's history.
#5 Nicolas Anelka
Chelsea completed a shock £15m signing of Nicolas Anelka in January 2008 from Bolton Wanderers, and the Frenchman turned out to be one of the Blues' finest winter buys.
In his first season at Stamford Bridge, the striker bagged 19 league goals, winning the Premier League Golden Boot award. He also scored double-digit league goals in the 2009/10 campaign, inspiring Chelsea to the Premier League title.
In his four-year stint at Chelsea, Nicolas Anelka won two FA Cup titles and one Premier League honour before leaving for Chinese-based outfit Shanghai Shenhua.
While a few might not consider Nicolas Anelka as a huge success at Chelsea, he diligently fulfilled his primary assignment, which was to find the back of the net.
#4 David Luiz
David Luiz moved to Chelsea in January 2011, joining from Benfica in a swap deal with Serbian international Nemanja Matic on deadline day.
In his first stint with the Blues, David Luiz helped Chelsea to their maiden UEFA Champions League success in 2012. He played the entire 120 minutes against Bayern Munich in the final and also converted his spot-kick in the penalty shootout.
David Luiz moved to the Ligue 1, signing for Paris Saint-Germain shortly after the 2013/14 season. He won five domestic titles there before securing a deadline-day return to Chelsea in August 2016.
On his return, he inspired Chelsea to a club-record 13-straight league wins and entered the PFA Team of the Season; he played 33 of 38 games en route to winning the Premier League title.
In his six seasons as a Chelsea player, David Luiz made 248 appearances, scored 18 goals and won one Premier League, one UEFA Champions League, two FA Cup and two Europa League titles.
#3 Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic moved to Chelsea from Kosice for £1.5m in 2009 after taking a trial with Middlesbrough FC.
His first stint at the club was not as successful as his second, as he was shipped to Benfica in a swap deal that saw David Luiz head to Stamford Bridge in 2011.
With Chelsea in dire need of a midfielder to provide cover for their back-line in 2014, Jose Mourinho opted to bring back the Serbian in a £21 million deal.
Matic immediately transformed the Blues midfield and inspired them to two Premier League titles and one League Cup; he was also named in the PFA Team of the Year.
In 2017, Chelsea cashed in on the towering midfielder, as he followed head coach Jose Mourinho to Manchester United for almost double the fee the Blues paid for him.
#2 Branislav Ivanovic
One of the most iconic right-backs in Premier League history, Branislav Ivanovic moved to Stamford Bridge from Lokomotiv Moscow for £10 million in January 2008.
He was initially overlooked by Chelsea head coach Avram Grant, who failed to play him in a single match in his first six months at the club, as he felt the player lacked match fitness, as the Russian Premier League ended months earlier.
The Russian came close to leaving Chelsea during this period, but Andriy Shevchenko reportedly convinced Ivanovic to stay put.
Nine years later, Branislav Ivanovic had made over 370 appearances for Chelsea, winning the UEFA Champions League, three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup and one Europa League.
The West Bromwich Albion man was a diligent servant for Chelsea and will be remembered for his time at the club.
#1 Gary Cahill
Chelsea snapped up Gary Cahill from relegation-threatened Bolton In 2012 in a £7m deal, and the rest is history.
The Englishman formed a devastating partnership with club legend John Terry while helping Chelsea to a plethora of trophies in various competitions.
In his eight-year stay at Chelsea, Cahill made almost 300 appearances and was named in three PFA Team of the Season.
Following the departure of John Terry, Cahill was handed the Chelsea armband; he led the club to eight major trophies, including the memorable Champions League triumph in 2012.
Gary Cahill won virtually everything with the Blues; he won two Premier League titles, two FA Cup titles, one League Cup, one UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Champions League.
