GOAL runs through the very best Blues players in an unprecedented period of success since the turn of the millennium
The 21st century has been utterly transformative for Chelsea. The arrival of Roman Abramovich's riches in 2003 catapulted the club into the upper echelons of English and European football, and they have not looked back since.
Across an unprecedented era of success, and as a result of the lavish spending that has often bankrolled it, dozens of exceptional footballers have donned the famous blue shirt since the turn of the millennium, with Stamford Bridge now regularly home to some of the finest in the business.
Below, GOAL does its damnedest to rank the 25 best Chelsea players of the past quarter-century…
Getty Images25John Obi Mikel
John Obi Mikel went from being considered something of a liability to one of the most highly-regarded defensive midfielders around, as a reliable substitute and rotation option across 11 years of loyal service at Stamford Bridge.
His masterful individual performance in the Champions League final in 2012 remains legendary to this day, as he etched himself into the lore of the club by shining against Bayern Munich stars Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos.
AdvertisementGetty Images24Nemanja Matic
Although he isn't particularly fondly remembered having gone on to join Chelsea's Premier League rivals Manchester United, Nemanja Matic was a comeback king at Stamford Bridge.
Having been sold to Benfica in 2011, the defensive midfielder was re-signed in 2014 for significantly more money and struck up a formidable midfield partnership with Cesc Fabregas, winning the Premier League twice in his three-year second spell while scoring some absolute rockets with his traction engine of a left foot.
Getty Images23Arjen Robben
He might be best remembered for his exploits at Bayern Munich later in his career, but Arjen Robben made his name at Chelsea after joining the Jose Mourinho revolution from PSV in 2004, winning back-to-back league titles.
Before he mastered the art of cutting in on his left foot from the right flank, Robben was predominantly a left-winger for the Blues. The fleet-footed Dutchman posed a consistent threat across three seasons in west London, with his debut campaign particularly productive (seven goals and nine assists) despite his injury issues.
22Michael Ballack
Surely one of the best free signings of all time, Michael Ballack would become a club legend in no time at all at Chelsea when he became part of an already world-class midfield in 2006.
A majestic midfielder capable of scoring some brilliant goals, the German helped the Blues to three FA Cup triumphs as well as the Premier League title in his final season at Stamford Bridge.