Chelsea have a huge amount of work to do if they are to make a success of their first season under Mauricio Pochettino. The Blues are still in with a shout of winning either of the domestic cups, although they look destined to miss out on the European spots.
Some of the players at Stamford Bridge though could still make an impact at the continental level when it comes to international football next summer. Many Blues stars will head to the European Championships which are being held in Germany, and several have genuine chances of claiming glory in mainland Europe.
The two frontrunners for the tournament are England and France, and Chelsea has many players that could star for both at Euro 2024.
Axel Disasi and Christopher Nkunku
France narrowly missed out on FIFA World Cup glory to Argentina in 2022, but in 2024 they will have the chance to at least become European champions for the first time since 2000.
France is offered as a frontrunner to win the competition across several reputable bookmakers including Betway who offer them at 4/1.
Many major oddsmakers offer bonuses for placing Euro 2024 bets with them, and there is a sign-up bonus for Betway which awards deposit bonuses in return for predicting the fate of Chelsea’s Frenchmen in the summer.
Chelsea have two notable players who will likely make France’s squad for the European Championships. Axel Disasi made the most recent squad in November, and he has a strong chance of travelling to Germany as a rotational defensive option.
Christopher Nkunku meanwhile could turn out to be one of the standout players at the tournament for France. He returned to fitness in December following a lengthy injury layoff after joining Chelsea.
He will hope to hit strong form for the Blues in the remainder of the club season before heading off to link up with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann in a star-studded attack for Les Bleus.
Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell
England are the pre-tournament favourites to win their first major trophy since the FIFA World Cup success of 1966. Chelsea’s pair that are in contention to make the England squad will likely be squad players for Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024.
Raheem Sterling has been in mixed form for the Blues this season – he managed five goals and three assists in the opening 18 fixtures although his form has been extremely hot and cold under Pochettino.
Sterling will have to make improvements in the second half of the season if he is to entice Southgate into awarding him a seat on the plane.
Ben Chilwell on the other hand has a completely different battle to face to be part of the squad. He has persistently faced injury issues for several years on the run now. The former Leicester City man will need luck to be on his side when it comes to fitness if he is to be trusted by Southgate.
Besides Chilwell, the only obvious natural left-back option for the Three Lions is Luke Shaw, meaning the Chelsea man would be a valuable addition to the squad for the Euros.
Chelsea ultimately has numerous players who could taste success on the international stage next summer. The tournament will surely be claimed by France or England, and that makes it highly likely that a European Champion will return to Stamford Bridge in July.
Chelsea have had their fair share of players that have come and gone from Stamford Bridge without making too much of an impact. The Blues are well-known for adding a considerable number of players to their first-team squad in the last ten years, which has seen them come in for criticism from some other clubs’ supporters.
There aren’t many first-team players out of contract heading towards the end of the 2023/24 season, but there is one notable name on the list whose future remains unclear at this moment. That player is Thiago Silva, who will be approaching 40 if he agrees a new deal with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Age hasn’t been an issue for Silva in recent years, with the former Brazilian international playing at a high level in the Premier League on a weekly basis. He made his name with AC Milan and PSG mainly in the last 15 years, but has proved to be a strong player for Chelsea in the top-flight. There will be doubts as to whether he can cut it at Chelsea for another season at the age of 39, with some supporters potentially favouring some of the younger options in the Chelsea squad.
However, you have to look at the bigger picture at Stamford Bridge, as Maurico Pochettino has a relatively young squad available to him, and Silva’s experience can certainly help aid the development of some of those players that are looking to force themselves into the starting XI on a consistent basis.
In an interview with MyBettingSites, former England international John Barnes issues his thoughts on Silva’s future, and was impressed with what he’s seen from the central defender.
“We know the age he is and the wages he’s on. If they feel he’s still capable of playing at the highest level and is good around the training ground then possibly.
“He may not start every week but he’s been fantastic for Chelsea.”
Chelsea have some promising youngsters coming through their ranks, and some might feel as though they’re better off being given a chance than having Silva in the team on high wages. A complete reset is needed at Chelsea, and they need to look towards a potentially more sustainable future financially, and that’s more likely than not going to be without Silva.
There will be questions about his ability heading into next season, although it remains to be seen as to whether he’ll take the decision out of the club’s hands by hanging up his boots, but only time will tell on that front. First and foremost though, he’ll be keen to play his part for the Blues this season, especially since they’ve found it difficult to put together a positive run of results heading towards the potentially season-defining festive period.
Chelsea FC is one of the most influential teams in the game and is a household name even outside the UK. This has not always been the case, however.
The club’s rise is a result of long, extensive work by everyone involved, from the coaching staff to players and those operating behind the scenes. Read on to explore the ups and downs of this club’s incredible history, which spans more than a century.
Early Years
Chelsea FC began when Gus Mears purchased the Stamford Bridge athletics stadium in Fulham, West London. Mears envisioned converting the stadium into football grounds that would be the home of a club. When he offered the venue to Fulham FC, however, he was turned down.
Undeterred, he decided to begin his own club. Naming the team after the nearby borough of Chelsea, the club was officially founded on 10 March 1905. The details were finalized in a pub across from the grounds.
Soon after its formation, the club was accepted into the Football League. Within two years and promising competitive results, Chelsea was promoted to the First Division, but its growth stagnated in the following years.
It wasn’t until 1915 that the club achieved its first significant break when it made it to the FA (Football Association) Cup Finals. Though it ultimately lost, Chelsea demonstrated what it was capable of doing. Its next achievement would be placing third in the First Division in 1920.
In its first two decades, the club became known for signing some of the best players. These included Jimmy Windridge, George Hilsdon, and Bob Whittingham. The calibre of these players and the club’s rising competitive status attracted the highest average attendance in England across ten seasons.
A Large Win and Even Larger Crash
From 1920 to 1930, the team achieved nothing notable except for preserving its place in the First Division. From there, it seemed to simply exist. Things only began to change in 1961 when Tommy Docherty took over coaching duties.
Structuring an entirely new team from the club’s youth selection, Docherty continued the work of modernizing the club that Ted Drake had attempted to do as manager eight years earlier. This time, however, it appeared to be working.
During the 1964-1965 season, the club achieved its first big win—securing the League Cup (now known as the English Football League Cup). A few years later, in 1970, the team won the FA Cup and then secured the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971.
Momentum faltered in the late 1970s through 1980s after a massive redevelopment project at Stamford Bridge financially strained the club. Many of the best players were sold during this time, and the team was demoted to the Second Division.
After being sold to Ken Bates for a measly £1 and selling its home stadium to property developers, the club spiralled to the verge of being relegated to Third Division. This changed when Chelsea managed to win the Second Division Championship in the 1988-1989 season.
Skyrocketed to Stardom
In 1992, the club negotiated back ownership of Stamford Bridge. Despite failing to impress with its performance in the newly founded Premier League, it did manage to reach the FA Cup Finals in 1994.
Receiving substantial investment and purchasing new star players, the club proved its revival was more than theory. During the 1990s, it won the League Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. It ended the decade with the 2000 FA Cup title.
The club again found itself in financial trouble in the first three years of the new millennium. As a result, it was sold in 2003 to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. Funnelling copious amounts of money into the club, Abramovich spent over £100 million on new talent alone.
The investment paid off, with Chelsea becoming the first club since World War II to win league championships two years in a row (2005 and 2006). These victories were followed by winning the League Cup in both 2005 and 2007 and the FA Cup in 2007.
Over the next decade, the club shined and played ruthlessly. Gaining popularity, it became a household name among fans and those looking to place bets on games through sites like casinos.com.
From 2010-2020, Chelsea won the Premier League, FA Cup Double (as well as multiple FA Cups), UEFA Championship League, UEFA Europa League (twice), and the League Cup. Added to these achievements, the club became the first team since 1963 to score more than a hundred goals during a standard league season. All this launched the club to stardom, largely thanks to its talented players and coaching staff, who worked relentlessly to become the best.
Current Success
After sanctions against Chelsea owner Abramovich were raised due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, the situation quickly unravelled for the club. In March of that year, the UK government imposed sanctions, forcing the club to apply for a special license to play. This license was only granted until the end of May 2022.
Just seven days into May, the club was purchased by BlueCo for a staggering £4.5 billion, once again proving its worth. However, the change did not go down well, which was reflected on the field.
During the 2022-2023 season, Chelsea finished in the lower half of the rankings for the first time since the 1990s. It did not qualify for any European honours, winning just 11 games of the 38 played.
Although fans hope things will turn around in the 2023-2024 season, the Chelsea legacy remains one of the greatest in the Premier League and the world. Despite setbacks, its hard work and competitive successes will not be forgotten anytime soon.
In recent weeks, Raheem Sterling has been a rare bright spark for Chelsea, and has been key to Mauricio Pochettino’s side’s slight upturn in form, which has seen morale boosted in and around the first-team playing squad, who had previously found it tough to pick up any sort of positive result in the Premier League.
The former Manchester City winger has scored five goals and been on hand to provide two assists from his 14 matches across all competitions to date. He caught the eye with a hugely impressive performance in the thrilling 4-4 draw with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, with some plaudits calling for Sterling to return to the England senior squad.
However, Sterling remained out of the picture for the European Championship qualifiers, with the likes of Jarrod Bowen, and fellow Chelsea team-mate Cole Palmer being picked ahead of the experienced England international. It remains to be seen as to why Sterling is being frozen out of the England setup at this moment in time, but if he can continue to build on some impressive showings so far this season, then you’d imagine that he’ll stand every chance of pushing for a recall to the squad for their European Championship campaign next summer.
In a recent interview with BonusCodeBets, former England winger John Barnes issued his thoughts on Sterling’s latest omission, and admitted that he would always select the Chelsea man if he was in charge, but doesn’t see it as an issue that he’s currently not in the squad for their European Championship qualifiers.
“Raheem has played well in the last two or three games for Chelsea and Chelsea haven’t been doing too well up until recently.
“People are looking at the last two or three matches and saying he should be called up but if you look at the amount of talent available to Gareth Southgate it’s a tough situation to be in.
“I’ll always have Raheem in the England squad but I don’t think it’s an issue of Raheem not being in the squad. Raheem may warrant being in the squad based on recent form but the squad was picked before the City game so he will be back in the squad at some point.”
Sterling had previously been a regular in the England team in recent years, and has made over 80 appearances for the Three Lions, which includes at the 2022 World Cup, where he scored in their 6-2 win over Iran, before Gareth Southgate’s side were beaten by France in their quarter-final clash.
However, with the emergence of the likes of Cole Palmer and Jarrod Bowen, some might feel as though England have better options available to them heading towards the future, but Sterling has shown that he can perform to a high standard on a consistent basis in the Premier League. You’d like to think that if he can continue to go from strength to strength and pull Chelsea up the table heading towards the festive period then Sterling would stand every chance of a well-deserved recall to the England team.
It could potentially be his final chance to break back into the England squad whilst he’s in good form, and so there will be that added motivation for Sterling. If Chelsea are going to show improvement this season, then he’s going to be at the heart of it.
When Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino reflects on his side’s campaign at the end of the season, he may look back at November as the month their fortunes started to turn. There have been lots of positives to take out of November so far, with the highlights being their 4-1 victory over Tottenham in North London.
Here is a look at how this November is a month that should give Pochettino and Chelsea fans a lot to be excited about for the rest of the season.
Derby Success At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
After losing 2-0 at home to Brentford, Chelsea’s trip to Tottenham was an important moment in the Premier League. The Blues were able to run away as 4-1 winners, putting some distance between themselves and the bottom three, meaning they are out 66-1 in the relegation betting, and much closer to the top end of the table now.
Chelsea scored four goals in the game but the scoreline could have been far wider in favour of the Blues, as VAR ruled out two goals. What was most pleasing in this game was that Pochettino’s summer signings all looked settled and made an impact.
It was a successful return to Spurs for Mauricio Pochettino 🔵
The Blues inflicted Spurs’ first league defeat of the season, and it ended up being a happy evening for Pochettino on his return to his former club.
Going Toe-To-Toe with Defending Champions
In what was one of the most entertaining Premier League matches this season, Chelsea drew 4-4 with defending champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. That was a huge result, as Chelsea matched the league leaders in every area of the pitch.
The Blues trailed three times in that match, but they showed great resolve to keep fighting to get on level terms. A 95th minute penalty for the hosts ensured they picked up a valuable point against Pep Guardiola’s side.
If Chelsea can keep up the same intensity as they did against Manchester City, they should continue picking up positive results and start moving up the table to towards the top-four. It also showed how dangerous the Blues can be in front of goal as it was the second consecutive game that they had scored four goals.
EFL Cup Victory Over Blackburn
Although the Premier League is the priority this season, Chelsea fans would love to be celebrating some silverware at the end of the campaign. The Blues took a step towards the next round of the EFL Cup thanks to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Championships side Blackburn Rovers.
Pochettino made changes to his starting XI for this game. It was a great chance for some of the fringe players in his squad to get some minutes and impress their manager, and they did that around some of the senior members of the squad.
Chelsea will now face Newcastle in the quarter-final of the competition. They last lifted this trophy in 2015 and Pochettino will be hoping he can get his hands on it following the final in February. The challenge for Chelsea going forward is to carry their momentum into December and for the rest of the season.
When you think of great football, it’s not out of place to think of Chelsea FC. This 118-year-old English club has played thousands of matches, some of which have won trophies and others fame. A complete list of the greatest games ever played by a club established in 1905 would be hard to compile.
Therefore, this article will focus on the best of Chelsea’s entertaining games from recent years. Chelsea’s stunning and memorable matches are a boon for betting football fans and bookmakers. But who else gets their facts right almost all the time except MightyTips – best football predictions? It is the go-to online hub for the most reputable bookmakers and valuable tips for football bettors in many countries.
Now to Chelsea history and their memorable matches, here are five of the most recent.
Chelsea 4 – 4 Liverpool (Second Leg of the 2009 Champions League Quarterfinal)
Before playing this game, Chelsea had achieved a massive victory by defeating Liverpool 3-1 at their home stadium, Anfield. As a result of their previous win over the home club in front of the Kop, Chelsea entered this match as the odds-on favourites to come out on top.
Despite this, the Blues got off to a rough start in the encounter, conceding an early penalty that was converted by Xabi Alonso and then saw Fabio Aurelio score from a set piece shortly after. As the first half ended, Chelsea had to play from behind, and the score was tied on aggregate.
The Blues came storming out of the locker room to start the second half, forcing Jose Reina to score an own goal when he made a mistake with the ball. Shortly after that, Alex buried a rocket of a free kick into the back of the net for Liverpool.
Two goals scored by the Blues in six minutes placed them firmly back in control of the game, but Liverpool were by no means on their way to an early bath. A remarkable comeback by the Reds resulted in goals from Lucas and Dirk Kuyt, which brought the score back to even with only a few minutes remaining in the match.
Lampard, who had already scored one goal, decided that it was now time to put the game to bed; his shot hit both posts before going in, bringing the club fans to their feet and bringing an end to one of the most entertaining back-and-forth games of football that Stamford Bridge had seen in some time.
Bolton 0 – 2 Chelsea (Premier League Match)
To say that Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Stamford Bridge was off to a great start is an understatement. The Blues won the Premier League in the ‘Special One’s’ first season as manager, which was also the club’s 50th anniversary. Mourinho not only expected his new club to win, but he had already chosen the Reebok Stadium as the venue for the celebration.
But Bolton had other ideas. With the “attack is the best form of defence” mentality, Bolton pounded Cech and his defence relentlessly. Despite their resilience, the Blues were unable to generate many scoring opportunities. At the hour mark, Lampard scored a goal for Chelsea FC from close range. Lampard scored twice and received the Man of the Year award, and the Blues finished precisely where Mourinho said they would.
Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona (Champions League Round of 16)
As is well-known, in the history of Chelsea FC, they are bitter rivals of Barcelona. In this game, for example, Frank Rijkaard, the coach of Barcelona, got into an altercation near the tunnel and had to be restrained.
After suffering a 2-1 loss to Barcelona in the first leg, Chelsea came out swinging in the second. Out of the locker room, the Blues came charging with goals from Eidur Gudjohnsen, Frank Lampard, and Damien Duff, but the oddsmakers didn’t have Barca as the favorite to win the tournament because of their tendency to give up.
Ronaldinho scored twice in as many minutes to get Barcelona back into the game, and the final twenty minutes were filled with furious play that required an incredible save from Cech before Terry sent the Blues on to meet Liverpool with only fifteen minutes remaining.
Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea (Champions League Semifinal)
Barcelona has become a place where fascinating sports events happen. It lived up to this tradition at the Nou Camp for the 2012 Champions League playoff. Barcelona had scored an impressive 102 goals at the Nou Camp that season and an even more impressive 18 goals in their last five Champions League home games. As such, even though the Blues were ahead 1-0 after beating them at Stamford Bridge, they were still a dangerous team to play.
Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets put the home team ahead early in the game, and John Terry was sent off for violent behavior, making things worse for the guests. The Catalans ran hard at Chelsea’s goal and had almost all the ball during the game.
The home crowd was shocked when Ramires and Fernando Torres scored goals against the flow of play, sending Chelsea to the final. This is one of the most surprising matches in the history of Chelsea FC.
Bayern Munich 1-1 Chelsea (Champions League Final)
One of the best of Chelsea’s matches is the 2012 Champions League Final. This final is the kind of football game that every fan wants and fears. Up until the very end, the game was very tense. It came down to penalties to decide who would win the Champions League cup.
Many things made the day great for football. Even though Chelsea was the loser going into the game, both teams did everything they could to score until eight minutes from the end, when Thomas Muller put the home team ahead.
Before Didier Drogba scored the equalizer in his last game for the club, the game looked like it was going to penalties. As if penalties weren’t already very exciting, Manuel Neuer and Petr Cech both played hard and saved three penalties against some of the best players in the world.
Then, in what seemed like the ending of a fairy tale, Drogba calmly took the last penalty and scored, securing the trophy with his last kick for the club and winning the Champions League on May 19, 2007, for a club that was formed in 1905, making it the first Champions League trophy in Chelsea history.
Conclusion
Chelsea FC is undoubtedly one of the most priced football clubs globally. And for a team that has consistently appeared in UEFA Champions League matches, it’s no surprise they would have spectacular and memorable matches. The recent ownership change is taking its toll on the London club, but fans and players are optimistic that the storm will soon be over.
Goals win games, wins equal points and points win prizes. In 2023-24, Chelsea have struggled to tick the first of those boxes, making the second difficult to achieve and the third almost impossible.
Time is still on their side, with there plenty of talk to be found at Stamford Bridge regarding long-term projects, but a return on sizeable investment is demanded in west London.
The Blues may have splashed out £1 billion on a host of fresh faces with one eye locked on the future – while also making regular changes in the dugout – but they need to deliver in the present.
Challenge
Chelsea playing on a Monday of a Champions League week…
A hugely disappointing 2022-23 campaign left Chelsea without European football on the agenda for just the second time since the turn of the century, with continental competition almost being taken for granted.
An unfortunate dip in collective standards has seen the Blues slip out of favour in betting markets across various sports competitions, with few expecting them to challenge for the Premier League title again any time soon while they are 5/1 for League Cup glory and 8/1 to lift the FA Cup for a ninth time.
Mauricio Pochettino has enough talent at his disposal to ensure that ultimate targets are hit, but putting the pieces of an intricate puzzle into the right places has proved tricky through the opening months of the Argentine’s reign.
Fortunately for him, a number of those who have been stuck on the treatment table will slowly be welcomed back into the fold over the coming weeks.
They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and in sporting terms, reputations can often be enhanced during an enforced absence – you are seemingly always a better player when unavailable than when up for selection.
That is proving to be the case at present when it comes to Christopher Nkunku, with the France international forward considered by some to be the solution to many of the questions that continue to be asked of Chelsea.
There is, however, every chance that he will not come into contention for a competitive debut until the turn of the year. If that does prove to be the case, then he will feel like a new signing in the January window.
While there is no questioning Nkunku’s potential and pedigree, there are also no guarantees that he will hit the ground running in English football. Given that he remains a Premier League rookie, it is a big ask to expect him to act as some kind of sporting saviour.
Chelsea need somebody – preferably more than one person – to step up and deliver before Nkunku becomes available again.
Pochettino’s squad may be lacking in years of age, but it still boasts plenty of experience in the form of established Premier League stars, veteran internationals, and even World Cup winners.
The goals will come, as will the points, but whether there are enough of them to land prizes remains to be seen. Nkunku will undoubtedly aid the cause once he gets a fitness green light, but he cannot be the only solution to a riddle that remains alarmingly difficult to solve.
Chelsea have gone through one of the toughest Premier League campaigns in the last decade last season when they finished as low as 12th in the top flight of English football. The fact that the team have scored no more than 38 goals in 38 matches says enough about a dismal run they’ve had throughout the entire campaign. The Blues were especially dreadful in the second half of the season when the fans and the experts believed in their success on the back of numerous costly signings during the winter transfer window.
espite the fact that Chelsea did not have the best 2022/2023 English Premier League season, there is no arguing that this team is special. The Blues are always one of the teams that people keep a close eye on because it has proven over the years that it can explode at any minute.
As expected, Chelsea made several interesting transfers for the new season because the team wants to ensure it will be competitive and live up to its fans’ expectations. The changes to the club’s squad are also important for people who like to bet online because they are interested in learning the latest details about some of the top EPL clubs. Thanks to the transfers and the fact that Chelsea has to change something in this season, those who go over the comprehensive overview of Betwinner will notice that the odds for this club are way higher than before. That’s one of the reasons why even people who’re not fans of Chelsea decide to wager on this club.
Not everyone will be interested in the markets and options offered for the specific team when talking about betting on Chelsea. Some people prefer to punt on different players, so let’s go over some of the names that iGaming fans can pay attention to and the potential markets they’ll have the chance to use.
Thiago Silva
When it comes down to some of the best center-backs in the English Premier League,e a lot of people will point out Thiago Silva. Even though the latter is 38 years old, many people consider him one of the biggest names in modern football, and he became a part of Chelsea in 2020.
Despite the inconsistent results from The Blues, Thiago Silva was always one step ahead of the competition. He was one of the team’s best players and also had a very important role in Brazil’s performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
People who decide to wager on Thiago Silva will find a wide range of markets, especially if they pick a bookie famous for rewarding its clients. Despite his age, the Brazilian player oozes class, so you can expect to find a wide range of markets, such as goals, free kicks, tackles, cards, and more. Considering his age, the odds for some of the options will be much higher than you may think.
Wesley Fofana
The next name that a lot of online betting fans will be interested in is Wesley Fofana. He is also a Centre-back, but unlike Thiago Silva, the 22-year-old is a promising player that Chelsea will try to make the most of this season.
Fofana became a part of the club from London in August 2022 and made his debut in September. The player has a 7-year contract with The Blues and is yet to win an important trophy with the team.
Often regarded as one of the EPL’s best young players, Fofana will be one of the options that people will pay special attention to. Those interested in betting on him can expect to find all of the markets mentioned earlier, as well as more options.
Another thing that gamblers can expect to come across is special bonuses that will only be available if they wager on Wesley Fofana. The offers can include free bets and special odds if people decide to wager on one of the individual markets.
Enzo Fernandes
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was one of the most interesting football competitions in years because we had the chance to watch many top players. In the end, Messi’s Argentina won the event, but there were a few youngsters in the team that shined, and one of them was Enzo Fernandes.
The 22-year-old was a part of Benfica, but following his impressive performance with his national team, Chelsea decided to pull the trigger and sign him for an awful lot of money. After joining in January of 2023, Enzo took part in many games, but what’s interesting is that Frank Lampard used him mainly as a defensive midfielder. However, in one of Lampard’s interviews, he said that Enzo has what it takes to be in a more attacking role, which means that we may see him in such a position in the 2023/2024 EPL season.
People who decide to bet on Chelsea and choose Enzo Fernandes will be happy to find a lot of new options. Since the player’s position is different than those mentioned earlier, we can expect more options for scoring goals or assists. Before choosing any of those markets, check his previous stats and make sure he’s in good form.
Romelu Lukaku
Even though Lukaku is probably one of the more controversial players that’s currently a part of Chelsea, no one can deny that he’s an impressive striker. Lukaky has been a part of the club several times, but he returned to Stamford Bridge after a transfer in 2021 after playing in the EPL around 10 years ago.
While it’s true that Lukaku wasn’t able to live up to the expectations because he did not score as many goals as fans expected, the 30-year-old has proven over the years that he can score. Therefore, most of the betting markets that gamblers will have access to while checking different online bookmakers will focus on them.
We also expect to find other types of options, such as boosted odds for a penalty or a free kick, because Lukaku is famous for being good at them. There might also be online bookmakers that can offer cashback bonuses for people betting on this player, which means they will get a certain portion of their winnings in case he does not score a goal.
Chelsea have sold over 10 senior players this summer, with more departures rumored to follow. Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival has not changed the club’s ruthless philosophy in the transfer market. The London club have opted to ship players out, before lining up replacements to take their place. This could have considerable impacts in the upcoming season and beyond.
Pochettino’s squad could be small in 2023/24
The start of the new Premier League season is a matter of weeks away, yet Chelsea still needs fresh recruitment. The midfield area especially needs to be addressed before the opening-day fixture against Liverpool. In the EPL odds, the most likely outcome is seen as a Liverpool triumph, offered at +145 at FanDuel.
OddsChecker has compared the odds available on a variety of sportsbooks ahead of the restart of the biggest football league in the world.
Chelsea have already spent over $100 million this summer, but considering their standards they are far from finished in the transfer window. The club will hope to add a number of signings prior to the visit of Liverpool, but the new coach will certainly start the squad with a relatively small and inexperienced squad.
The squad is stacked in the defensive areas, and there are plenty of options in attack. However, the midfield is far too slim for a team hoping to challenge for a place in the UEFA Champions League next season. Chelsea’s midfield currently consists primarily of development signings – players that the club will not be intending to rely on in the immediate future.
The West London club allowed senior midfielder Mateo Kovacic to join Manchester City this summer. But surely the UCL winners’ interest in the Croatian, should have indicated that he had the quality to remain in Chelsea’s midfield plans.
Chelsea also allowed a couple of their long-term midfield stars to leave and strengthen Arsenal and Manchester United respectively. The club has certainly deployed a confusing strategy this summer. They have willingly sold their senior players to rivals and left themselves with a small selection in the midfield areas.
Aside from the impact of the departures on the mere numbers within the squad, Chelsea have left themselves with a lack of leadership and experience in terms of their technicians in the middle of the pitch.
🚨 Mauricio Pochettino is growing increasingly concerned with the lack of experience in the squad and the slow progress of signings. (@TomRoddy_) #CFCpic.twitter.com/dXRFwenXmi
Pochettino’s squad would have surely been better suited to maintain its long-term core and allow the new signings to be integrated into the squad with less pressure to hit the ground running.
Besides the quality and specific profiles that have departed Chelsea, the overall squad depth is a huge worry in general. If Chelsea are to face an injury crisis this coming season, they will certainly not be prepared for it.
Chelsea’s squad lacks experience
In addition to Chelsea’s senior midfield departures priorly mentioned, several other experienced stars have left the club.
Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante departed to Saudi Pro League clubs Al Hilal and At Ittihad respectively. Both offered a huge sense of experience in the Chelsea squad, and their absence certainly won’t go unnoticed.
Thiago Silva represents the only true leader that remains in the Chelsea squad, the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, and Kepa Arrizabalaga have now emerged as some of the most experienced players.
Aside from Silva, Kepa is the only vocal leader within Chelsea’s squad, and the number one spot may not even be his next season. Developing players need strong tutorship around them in order to improve and excel on the pitch.
The Brazilian defensive legend could have a tough job on his hands, as he will be in charge of helping the inexperienced players by influencing the mental aspects of their game in the upcoming campaign.
Most top European clubs have experienced players in various positions throughout the squad. Chelsea will not have this in Pochettino’s debut season at the club. This is a huge risk, albeit it could allow natural leaders within the squad to step up.
Some players may not have the greatest experience in terms of professional minutes under their belt. However, some have a natural tendency to lead by example on the pitch and play with a level of composure and confidence that influences others around them.
Uncertainty over the starting goalkeeper
Chelsea has already sold Edouard Mendy to Al Ahli of the SPL this summer. This has left them with Kepa as the only senior option in between the sticks.
Kepa is a solid shot-stopper on his day, but there is a huge question mark over his consistency. The Spanish keeper is excellent when it comes to playing the ball out from the back. However, he is prone to mistakes when it comes to playing in the bigger fixtures.
Chelsea could potentially add another goalkeeper option in the market, although there has been a lack of names linked. Pochettino’s inexperienced squad vitally needs a reliable experienced keeper behind them.
The team’s defense especially is filled with players that are still learning their craft and polishing their skill sets in the early parts of their careers. The bare minimum for them to succeed would surely be a reliable goalkeeper backing them up, who instills confidence in them.
Chelsea lacks a prolific goalscorer
Romelu Lukaku has burned too many bridges at the club, and it looks certain that there will be a compromise found in order for him to depart this summer.
Another experienced frontman in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also departed on a free transfer to Marseille.
Christopher Nkunku is the highlight of the offensive signings that have arrived ahead of the new league campaign. While he is a genuine world-class talent, he is more of a second-striker than an out-and-out forward that will score 20 league goals a season for the Blues.
Chelsea’s forward signings have all been brought in from other European leagues, and some even from South America. The fresh incomings are surely going to require a significant amount of time to adapt to the intensity of English football.
Across the range of attacking incomings, there is a theme maintained of raw talent, that is far from the peak of its development yet.
Chelsea are unlikely to harvest a regular goalscorer from amongst their new signings. Long-term the club may reap the benefits hugely of the recent signings. But again, their strategy in the transfer market is intriguing.
The club could have maintained the services of one of their experienced forwards. They would have a player to lead the team, that knows the Premier League well, and has a history of challenging for golden boots across Europe.
Lukaku is of course still on the club’s books, but the toxic relationship between him and CFC is unlikely to be resolved and he will surely depart. The club is set to gamble on their newly accumulated talents settling quickly into the league.
Chelsea struggled to score goals last season, as they averaged just a goal per Premier League fixture played. They have certainly added an abundance of offensive talent, but have taken a risk by not acquiring an attacking star that is in the prime days of their career.
Overall, Chelsea could have huge issues with squad depth, experience, and leadership over the coming season and beyond.
The club have taken huge risks in the transfer market, by willingly allowing long-term servants to join rivals and replacing them with players that are not proven in English football.
The approach to the transfer window this summer has certainly not been a pragmatic one under Pochettino, but perhaps the Argentine can surprise many next season, with his squad that is filled with huge potential, but lacks Premier League-proven talent.
Ticket prices to watch the reigning WSL champions are going up in time for the 2023/24 season. Perhaps understandably, this recent announcement has caused a stir among some supporters groups who feel the increase was unacceptably high. So, is this the case or will fans still get good value for money when watching Emma Hayes’ team?
The Blues have spent over £600 million on new signings since Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club in 2022. Given this fee – a club high – many have asked the question, how are Chelsea not breaking FFP?
Since Chelsea’s ascension into becoming one of the most-followed and successful English clubs of the modern generation, their local North West London derbies against two clubs in particular have become even more intense. These teams are Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, who are Chelsea’s rivals in the Premier League. Even if the Blues have a bad season, a manager can potentially still become a hero in the eyes of fans if they succeed in winning the derbies against the two main rivals.
This is undoubtedly Chelsea’s most fierce and intense rival. It dates back to 1909 when the clubs were known as West London Chelsea and North London Tottenham Hotspur respectively. Since then, the clubs have gone on to play each other more than 160 times.
Dating back to the 1967 FA Cup final which Spurs won 2-1, the clashes between the teams have been attracting massive audiences. The 1967 FA Cup final has since become known more well as the “Cockney Cup final” and more than 100 000 people were in attendance.
As a result of the intensity of the rivalry, violence among fans was never rare.
A poll conducted in 2012 suggested that fans of Chelsea considered Tottenham to be their most bitter rival.
An important match between the rivals also took place in the 1974/75 season. Both clubs were battling relegation from the old First Division. Spurs won the game 2-0. Chelsea were subsequently relegated from the First Division while Chelsea stayed up, with a single point saving them. The win over Spurs helped the Blues stay up that season.
This rivalry become especially intense since Roman Abramovich acquired ownership of Chelsea in 2003 and transformed it into being one of the best teams in English football. Overall, Arsenal have dominated the rivalry though they have become more evenly matched over the last 20-years which coincided with Chelsea’s rice to prominence.
After Abramovich’s Chelsea revolution, Arsenal had to wait almost 20-years (until the 2020-21 season) in order to record their first league double over Chelsea.
Interestingly, Blues club legend Didier Drogba holds the record for the most goals in this derby as he found the back of the net 13 times in all competitions. The Ivorian’s first goal against Arsenal came in a 1-0 home league win during the 2005/06 season.
His last was in a 2-0 win over the Gunners, also in the league back in October 2010. There is data to prove that hatred between the clubs has grown significantly higher over the past two decades.
The clubs had never really considered each other as primary rivals. According to a 2003 internet survey, Arsenal fans had considered Chelsea as their third rival behind Manchester United and Tottenham.
Chelsea fans who responded to the same survey said that they never considered Arsenal as their main rival. By 2008, a survey done by Football Fans Census revealed that Arsenal fans hated Chelsea fans the most, even ahead of arch-rivals Tottenham.
Chelsea fans named Arsenal as their second most hated team, behind Liverpool, who are Chelsea’s rivals up north.
Chelsea has a longstanding tradition of producing talented players from different countries – and the Netherlands is no exception. Over the years, the Blues have seen several exemplary Dutch players who have left an indelible mark on both the club and its supporters. Let us take a closer look at some of Chelsea’s greatest ever Dutch stars.
When discussing Chelsea’s Dutch legends, one name that comes to mind immediately is that of Ruud Gullit. Joining Chelsea in 1995, this football icon from the Netherlands made an immediate impact with his skillset and creative play style; plus he had great leadership qualities both on and off the field. Versatility allowed Gullit to play as either midfielder or forward, while his elegant style of play captured hearts across London. During his tenure with Chelsea, Gullit played a crucial role in helping Chelsea win both FA Cups (1997) and League Cup (1998) respectively), earning him a special place in club history.
Another Dutch player that made an impact at Chelsea was Arjen Robben. Since joining the Blues in 2004, Robben quickly established himself as one of the greatest wingers in history with his impressive dribbling ability, speed and left foot precision. Throughout Robben’s time at Chelsea he won two Premier League titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup; earning him widespread acclaim as one of English football’s most exciting players. Chelsea fans still remember his electrifying runs down the wing and ability to create scoring chances with ease.
Ed de Goey was an important goalkeeper for Chelsea throughout the 1990s. Joining the club in 1997, he quickly established himself as their go-to choice due to his commanding presence in the penalty area, shot-stopping ability, and excellent distribution. De Goey played an integral role in helping Chelsea win both UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup 1998 and FA Cup 2000; earning him a reputation as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever goalkeepers.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was another Dutch star who enjoyed a storied career at Chelsea during the early 2000s. As an accomplished striker, Hasselbaink joined the club in 2000 and quickly earned himself fans’ affection. His powerful shots and goal-scoring prowess made him a constant threat to opposing defenses; ultimately leading him to score 69 goals in 136 appearances for Chelsea – making him one of their all-time leading goal scorers. His performances helped Chelsea qualify for UEFA Champions League competition while earning him the Premier League Golden Boot award during 2001-2002 season for his outstanding contributions.
Dennis Wise, though not originally from the Netherlands, had a remarkable career at Chelsea during the 1990s. A dynamic midfielder who joined Chelsea in 1990 and went on to captain them for several seasons, Wise earned praise for his tenacity, leadership abilities and goal-scoring prowess from midfield. His contributions in helping Chelsea win three FA Cups (1997), 2000 and 1998 were highly acclaimed by fans as well as football enthusiasts alike for his contributions and leadership on and off the field.
The Chelsea-Dutch Connection
Chelsea’s greatest Dutch players have left an indelible mark on the club’s history. Their skill, talent, and dedication have earned them widespread admiration from fans around the world and helped shape Chelsea into what it is today – a force to be reckoned with. Their contributions are undeniable; their accomplishments will be remembered for years to come.
These Dutch players have distinguished themselves with their versatility and adaptability, excelling in various positions on the field to show off their football intelligence and versatility. From midfield maestros to lethal strikers and commanding goalkeepers, these individuals have proven they can adapt to different roles with ease – making them invaluable assets to the team.
These Dutch players have not only achieved individual greatness, but they have been part of Chelsea’s most illustrious periods. They were instrumental in the club numerous trophies like Premier League titles, FA Cups and League Cups for the club; their performances have helped shape the Blues’ success both domestically and abroad, cementing their names in club history.
Chelsea has had a long and storied relationship with Dutch footballers. Their style of play, with a focus on technical ability, flair and attacking prowess, has often aligned with the Blues’ brand of attacking football. This has made Dutch players an ideal fit for the club and led to an impressive Dutch presence throughout Chelsea’s history.
Like any club, these Dutch players at Chelsea have faced challenges and obstacles along the way. Injury, form dips, and fierce competition for starting spots have been part of life but their resilience and determination never wavered. Through it all they have made significant contributions to Chelsea’s success; earning themselves a special place in its legacy.
Chelsea Football Club has been blessed with some outstanding Dutch players who have left a lasting legacy. Ruud Gullit, Arjen Robben, Ed de Goey, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Dennis Wise are just a few who have shown their skill, talent and dedication on the pitch to help Chelsea win numerous trophies and achieve success. Their versatility, adaptability and leadership qualities have made them invaluable assets to the team; their contributions extend far beyond their performances on the pitch; they serve as role models and inspirations to fans and teammates alike; their legacy at Chelsea will be remembered for generations to come.
Chelsea have had their fair share of German players in the Premier League era. We look at the greatest Blues from the four-time world champion nation to have played at Stamford Bridge, in our rundown of Chelsea’s best German players ever.
Since its founding by businessman Gus Mears in 1905, Chelsea Football Club has had a number of owners. Today, we take an extensive look at who owns Chelsea today, and explore the full history of the Blues’ ownership.
So far Timo Werner has struggled to score on a regular basis in England. The German joined the Blues from RB Leipzig ahead of this season but has not scored with the same regularity that saw him becoming a Bundesliga star.
Naturally, there are some reports suggesting that Werner could soon be on his way out of Stamford Bridge.
Should he end up leaving Chelsea, the following are candidates to replace him.
Sergio Aguero
The Argentine is set to leave Manchester City this summer. Aguero may now be 32-years-old but when fit, he is still a match-winner and world-class player.
He could still have a good 2-3 years of football left in him and with almost 300 Premier League appearances under his belt, he could bring in a wealth of experience to Stamford Bridge.
However, he is a Manchester City legend and so it remains to be seen if he will be willing to play for another club in England.
20-year-old Haaland is expected to go on and become a generational great whilst also challenging for the Ballon d’Or. Haaland averages nearly a goal per game for current club Borussia Dortmund and it is likely that he will end up leaving Dortmund at some point in the near future in order to play for an elite club.
Haaland could be the long-term solution to Chelsea’s number nine dilemma though he will not come cheap and the Blues will have to battle numerous other clubs for his services.
At nearly 28-years-old, Kane is now at the prime of his career and will not get any better. Though a world-class player, he has yet to win a single major trophy and it does not look like Tottenham will win a piece of major silverware anytime soon.
Now could be the right time for Kane to join another club.
Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard has issued an apology to football fans after appearing to be friendly with Chelsea players after Los Blancos recently lost their Champions League semi-final tie to his former club, Chelsea.
Hazard has been a flop at Chelsea
During a seven-year spell with Chelsea, Hazard established himself as one of the best players in the world. He won nearly everything there is to win in his time at Stamford Bridge, though the one major trophy which eluded him was the Champions League.
Hazard joined Madrid in the summer of 2019 and the reason that he left Stamford Bridge for the Santiago Bernabeu was to try and win the Champions League.
The Blues did not win Europe’s Premier Club competition during the Belgian ace’s time with them and largely struggled to reach the final stages of the competition since they won the tournament in 2012.
There is no doubt that the fact that Hazard is a former Chelsea and not doing well at Madrid would have infuriated fans of the Spanish giants.
To add to the frustrations of Madrid fans, they brought in Hazard as a direct replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo who departed the club in the summer of 2018 to join Juventus.
Hazard has done anything but be a replacement for Ronaldo and it is believed that Madrid will be prepared to now listen to offers for him this summer.
“I am sorry. I have read lots of opinions about me today and it was not my intention to offend any Real Madrid fans,” Hazard posted on his Instagram story on Thursday.
“It has always been my dream to play for Real Madrid and I came here to win. The season is not over and together we must battle for La Liga! Hala Madrid!”
His reputation would have taken a knock as a result of his troubled spell at Chelsea but at 30-years-old, Hazard could still have another 3-4 years of good football left in him. These days, many top-level footballers are continuing to shine in the mid and late ’30s as is the case with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Hazard is a player who is a generational great and there is every reason that he can emulate Ronaldo and Messi if he is mentally strong.
Since joining Real Madrid in 2019 from Chelsea, Eden Hazard’s career has undergone a downward spiral. He is a shadow of the player that he was at Stamford Bridge and at this rate, Madrid will just be hoping to offload him as soon as possible and cut their losses.
Could a return to Chelsea for Hazard be possible? More strange things have happened in football but given that he is now 30, it does not seem likely given that the club is historically hesitant to sign players over 30.
The following are two players whose careers also went downhill after joining Madrid.
Kaka
The 2007 Ballon d’Or winner joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2009 at a time in which he was regarded as arguably the world’s best player. In the heyday of his career which was his first spell with AC Milan between 2003-2009, Kaka famously played a starring role in helping Milan to win the Champions League and Serie A.
He was a shadow of the player that he was at the Santiago Bernabeu over four years and he ended up returning to Milan in 2013 after his spell with Madrid ended. Whilst his second spell with Milan was decent, he failed to emulate the kind of form which saw him win the Ballon d’Or.
The 2001 Ballon d’Or winner betrayed Liverpool fans for the first time by pushing for a transfer to Real Madrid in 2004 when he was regarded as arguably the best striker in the world.
Owen failed to settle in Spain and failed to find the back of the net on a regular basis in his one season in Spain, scoring 13 goals from 36 La Liga games.
After one season in Spain, he returned to England with Newcastle United in 2005. Injuries ended up curtailing Owen’s ability to showcase the type of form that he displayed en route to winning the Ballon D’Or as a youngster.
Throughout the years, Chelsea has had its fair share of Nigerian players, some of which such as Ross Barkley, Fikayo Tomori, and Tammy Abraham have Nigerian heritage but are thorough Englishmen.
This list will only include players who opted to commit their international careers to Nigeria.
3. Victor Moses
After some impressive displays in the Premier League for Wigan Athletic, Moses earned a move to Chelsea in the summer of 2012. His time at Chelsea has been an interesting one. Moses initially struggled to earn regular game time at Stamford Bridge, spending time on loan with the likes of Liverpool, Stoke City, and West Ham.
He was roped back into the fold by Antonio Conte and was a first-team regular for the club in the 2016/17 season as it won the Premier League title.
Moses remained a first-team regular in the 2017/18 season but fell down the pecking order again. Still contracted to the Blues, he is currently on loan with Spartak Moscow.
The 27-times capped former Nigerian international is another interesting character. He joined the Blues in 1997 from Anderlecht before it became a major force and remained on its books until 2005 and after the Roman Abramovich revolution.
Babayaro made 132 Premier League appearances for the Blues, helping it to win the FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Cup Winners Cup.
He perhaps was never appreciated the way that he should have been but Obi Mikel has to go down as a Chelsea legend. He spent nine years at the club, something not many players are able to do due to the extremely competitive environment which exists at Stamford Bridge.
At 34-years-old, Mikel is still active in football, playing for Stoke City in the Championship. It remains to be seen whether he can help the Potters return to the Premier League.
Tammy Abraham was a hit for Chelsea in the 2019/20 season as he went on to score 15 goals in the Premier League from 34 appearances, helping the club to attain a top four finish under Frank Lampard.
The 23-year-old’s second season with the Blues has not exactly gone to plan as he has struggled to score goals on a regular basis.
There is speculation that Abraham may be sold this summer in order to raise funds to invest in two new strikers.
Should Abraham leave, the following are some potential destinations.
West Ham sold Sebastien Haller in the January transfer window and did not bring in a replacement, meaning that Michail Antonio has essentially been their only recognized striker since then.
David Moyes has developed a reputation for getting the most out of his players, as he did with Jesse Lingard and with majority of the players in the Hammers setup.
Given that Antonio is injury-prone and now over 30, Abraham is almost definite to get regular game time if he moves to the Hammers.
Crystal Palace
With Roy Hodgson set to turn 74 this year and nearing the end of his contract, the Eagles will be expected to appoint a new manager soon with ex Chelsea boss Frank Lampard being tipped to potentially succeed Hodgson.
Abraham played brilliantly under Lampard last season and so could be tempted by a move to Selhurst Park if the latter ends up becoming Eagles manager.
Palace will also be expected to offload Christian Benteke in the near future and so may consider Abraham as a potential replacement.
Newcastle
Newcastle’s entire forward options have struggled to score regularly this season and Steve Bruce’s side must look to sign a new striker as a matter of priority next summer.
St James Park may offer Abraham a good opportunity to rebuild his career but the question is whether it will be a good environment for him to be in?
Frank Lampard was sacked by Chelsea earlier in this season after the club’s poor run of form. Lampard did show some signs of being a good manager. He led the West London club to a top-four finish in his first season at the helm of the club, despite its transfer ban.
However, Lampard’s lack of experience and flaws in terms of man-management eventually ended up costing him his job.
At just 42-years-old, it is unlikely that Lampard’s managerial career is over. The following are possible next destinations for him.
Roy Hodgson is set to turn 74 later this year and with his contract at Crystal Palace set to expire at the end of the season, it looks unlikely that the Eagles will retain him.
The Eagles have been underwhelming in the past two years and need a fresh start. Signing a manager like Lampard will be a good statement of intent from a club that should be aiming to finish strongly in the top half of the table rather than on the bottom half.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham are without a manager after recently parting ways with Jose Mourinho and Ryan Mason taking charge of the club until the end of the season.
After many years of underachievement, Spurs do need to appoint a high-profile manager in order to try and influence their star players into committing their futures to the club rather than seeking greener pastures elsewhere.
The Lilywhites could offer Lampard a good chance to rebuild his credibility as a manager.
Newcastle
Under Steve Bruce, the Magpies have continued to underperform, though it must be said that Bruce has never really been given significant funds to invest in new transfers.
Lampard joining the Magpies could present a fresh start for both manager and player. However, it may be a poisoned chalice.
Being London rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea have never had a healthy relationship. However, there has been a fair share of players who transferred between the clubs.
This list will take a look at some of the names who have donned the jersey of both Chelsea and Arsenal.
Yossi Benayoun
Benayoun arrived at Chelsea in 2010 but was hardly used by the club. Interestingly, Chelsea loaned him out to Arsenal (arch-rival) in the middle of his spell.
As a youngster, Diarra was in the Chelsea fold but failed to win regular game time. He was sold to Arsenal in 2007 and went on to spend just one season with the Gunners before transferring to Portsmouth.
Following a successful spell with Arsenal, the 1998 World Cup winner with France spent the final three years of his career at Stamford Bridge before hanging up his boots in 2004.
A controversial character in his playing days, Anelka played for many clubs in his interesting career with Chelsea and Arsenal being among them. Anelka came through the Arsenal youth ranks before transferring to Real Madrid in 1999.
He moved to Chelsea from Bolton in 2008 and went on to spend the four most successful years of his career at Stamford Bridge as he helped the club win the Premier League and two FA Cups.
Cole was part of the legendary Arsenal “Invicibles” side in 2004, helping Arsene Wenger’s side win the Premier League without losing a game. He lost the respect of most Arsenal fans by forcing through a transfer to Chelsea in 2006.
In his time at Chelsea, Cole won one Premier League, four FA Cups, one League Cup, the Champions League and Europa League.
Gallas’ transfer was similar to Cole’s in that it was controversial but in his case, it was the opposite way around and led to him losing the respect of Chelsea fans after forcing through a transfer to Arsenal in 2006, where he spent four years, failing to win a major title.
After establishing himself as one of the best players in the world at Arsenal, Fabregas left the Gunners to join boyhood club Barcelona in 2011. He spent three years in Spain before returning to England in 2014 with Chelsea where he would spend five years.
After 11 successful years at Chelsea, the Blues club legend left the club to join Arsenal in 2015. His transfer was not controversial as it was to get regular game time as a result of Thibaut Courtois displacing him as the Blues first-choice goalkeeper. Cech spent four years with the Gunners before hanging up his gloves in 2019.
Giroud’s transfer to Chelsea in 2018 was also hardly controversial. After six years at the Emirates, Giroud moved to Chelsea in January 2018 in order to try and get the playing time that he needed to win selection for France’s 2018 World Cup squad. He did just that, won the World Cup, and has been a valuable asset to the Blues dressing room.
Luiz has had an interesting career. After two spells with Chelsea, the defender joined the Gunners in 2019 where he has continued to show signs of brilliance, though ultimately proven to be inconsistent.
The most recent transfer between the clubs, Willian joined the Gunners from Chelsea in the summer of 2020. The Brazilian has struggled to find the net on a regular basis for the Gunners.
