10. Joe Cole, from West Ham, 2003
After breaking out with Boyhood West Ham United and becoming one of England's most talented young players, Jocor moved to Chelsea for $9 million. The cost was good for Abramovich. Cole has become a new icon during his seven years at Chelsea. That number may not be staggering, with just 40 goals and 42 assists in 281 games, but he is clearly a key member of the three Premier League champions under Mourinho and Ancelotti.
9. Claude Makelele, from Real Madrid, 2003
Makelele was one of Abramovic's first signings as Chelsea manager. He arrived in the summer of 2003 after winning two La Liga and one Champions League with Real Madrid. When he left five years later, Makelele was impressive, with the role in the back-and-forth midfield named after him. As "Makelele", he played 217 games for Chelsea and was an integral part of the team, winning two consecutive Premier League games, two League Cups and one FA Cup. The French midfielder also helped Chelsea reach the 2008 Champions League final, but they lost to Manchester United in a penalty shootout.
8. Ivanovich, from Lokomotiv Moscow, 2008
In January 2008, Abramovich bought Ivanovic for $12 million. It was the most expensive transfer in the history of Russian football at the time. The transfer went fairly quietly because Ivanovic wasn't really famous. So, not many people can expect the Serbian defender to become a Legend of Chelsea. During his nine years with the Blues, Ivanovic made 377 appearances, scored 34 goals and won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup, one Super Cup, one Champions League and one Europa League. He was the hero of the 2013 Europa League final, scoring a goal in the 90+3 minutes to help Benfica win 2-1.
7. Ricardo Carvalho, from Porto, 2004
In 2004, Carvalho followed Jose Mourinho to Chelsea, after winning the Champions League at Porto. The $25 million defender didn't take long to adapt to English football. Along with Terry, he formed what is considered the greatest pair of centre-backs in Premier League history. Chelsea conceded only 15 goals in the 2004-2005 Premier League season. It's still a record defensive achievement of the season. Carvalho stayed for another five years, making 210 appearances and winning two Premier Leagues, two League Cups, three FA Cups and two Super Cups.
6. Cesar Azpilicueta, from Marseille, 2012
Espanyol is the only player on the list to win all the major trophies at Chelsea (Premier League, Champions League and Europa League), with four of them captaining. In 2012, Abramovich bought Azpilicueta from Marseille, France, for only $9 million. It was his biggest deal as a team owner. After winning two Premier League titles, one League Cup, one FA Cup and one Europa League in his first six years, Azpilicueta began his role as captain in 2018. He led Chelsea to another Europa League in 2019, followed by the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup. With 461 games, Azpilicueta became one of the most competitive players in Chelsea's history.
5. Kanter, from Leicester, 2016
After winning the Premier League title at Leicester City in 2016, Kante moved to Chelsea for $40 million. Compared to the talent and contribution of the French midfielder, the fee is still considered too cheap. After winning the 2017 Premier League, Kante added the FA Cup, Europa League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Kante, 30, remains one of the best midfielders in the world.
Ashley Cole, from Arsenal, 2006
When Abramovic and Chelsea acquired Ashley Cole from sworn enemies Arsenal, they signed a spectacular signing. They lost only $6 million on defender William Gallas. After a period of steady play, Cole quickly contributed a Premier League, four FA Cups, a League Cup, an English Super Cup, a Champions League and a Europa League. During his eight years at Chelsea, the English player was named the best left-back in the world. This further facilitated transfers in 2006.
3. Hazard, from Lille, 2012
After becoming one of the most striking young players in the world, Hazard has been welcomed by almost all European clubs. When it was the new Champions League title, he decided to choose Chelsea. All that's left is history. Since coming to England, Hazard has continued to conquer audiences with his technical feet and talent. He contributed 92 goals and 110 assists, winning two Premier Leagues, two Europa Leagues, an FA Cup and a League Cup. When he moved to Real Madrid for $110 million in 2019, Eden Hazard was considered the most talented player in the Premier League.
2. Peter Cech, from Rennes, 2004
Abramovich only needs to pay $9 million to buy Cech, which is a very small fee compared to the huge contribution of the Czech goalkeeper for 11 years. In his first season, Petr Cech set a Record for conceding just 15 goals in the Premier League. But that's only a small part. Over the next decade, the Czech goalkeeper won three more Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, one Champions League and one Europa League. Cech also holds the record of not conceding a goal in 202 Premier League games. Cech's best performance was in the 2012 Champions League final, when he saved one of Robben's penalties in extra time, as well as two penalties from Oric and Schweinsteiger. This performance helped Chelsea win the European Championship for the first time.
1. Didier Drogba, from Marseille, 2004
Drogba played as much as Petr Petr Cech in the 2012 Champions League final, with the Ivorian striker equalising 1-1 in the 89th minute before taking a penalty to decide to beat Bayern 4-3. Before winning the Champions League, Drogba became a legend. Joining Chelsea for $31 million, he quickly became the leader in helping the team win the title. Drogba scored 157 goals in 341 games, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two Super Cups and one Champions League. During his time at Chelsea, he has been one of the best strikers in the world.