Foreword: In recent years, Chelsea have let some of the best talent in world football slip out of their hands, with Mohammed Salah and Kevin de Bruyne undoubtedly being among the eleven best starters to go to the Blues.
Since Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003, the Blues have managed to attract some of the world's biggest stars to Stamford Bridge, but they have also let many of the top talent slip away from their fingertips.
Since Abramovich came to Chelsea, the Blues have won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions League titles.
Over the years, the Russians have signed some iconic players such as Didier Drogba, Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Ngorlo Kante and Ashley Cole.
However, Chelsea also have incredibly talented players who may have been let go prematurely and we have put together below a list of the best squads of 442.
Chelsea have let some of the best talent in world football slip away from their fingertips
Goalkeeper: Thibault Courtois
The Belgian goalkeeper went on loan at Atletico Madrid for three years after signing with Chelsea for the first time in 2011 and won a La Liga title medal in 2014. Courtois helped the Blues win the Premier League title in two of three seasons before leaving in 2018 to join Real Madrid – he won La Liga again in 2019/20.
Defender: Nathan Acre
A product of the club's academy, Acker made only 17 appearances for the squad during his five-year career at Chelsea, spending most of his time on loan. The Dutchman left in 2017 to sign with Bournemouth, who moved to Manchester City last year for £41m.
Although he has been plagued by injuries at Manchester City so far, the 26-year-old still experiences the best moments of his career.
Acker didn't get enough chances to play
Defender: Fikayo Tomori
Tomori came to prominence under Frank Lampard in the 2019/20 season, but for some reasons that are still somewhat unknown, he fell out of favor for the following season.
The 23-year-old moved to AC Milan in January and has already shown his prowess in the San Siro, with England boss Gareth Southgate calling him up to the England national team this month.
Defender: Kurt Zuma
The French centre-back played for Chelsea for seven years after joining Chelsea from Saint-Etienne in 2014 and played an important role in winning the Premier League title in 2014/15.
After a period of loan spells, he became a key member of Lampard's squad from 2019 to the beginning of the year, but when Thomas Tuchel arrived in January, he lost his main position in the squad.
Zuma moved to West Ham United this summer and the 26-year-old can go on to prove that Tuchel and the Blues made the decision to let him go wrong.
Zuma also has a chance to prove himself
Defender: Felipe Luiz
Felipe Luiz moved from Atletico Madrid in 2014 for £16m and helped Jose Mourinho's side win that season's Premier League title.
The Brazilian left-back returned to Atletico after just one year at Chelsea, reaching the Champions League final again in 2016 and winning the Europa League title in 2018.
Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne
The skilled Belgian midfielder is undoubtedly one of Chelsea's biggest transfer regrets, having been let go by Mourinho after just one season at the club in 2013/14.
He signed with Wolfsburg and showed enough potential for City to pay him a record £55m transfer fee in 2015, which caused a heated discussion at the time.
But the fee proved to be a bargain over the past six years, with De Bruyne developing under Guardiola into one of the best midfielders in world football.
Kevin De Bruyne is one of Chelsea's biggest transfer regrets
Midfielder: Oriol Romeu
While they won't regret his departure as de Bruyne did, Chelsea may benefit more from the time romer Romeu left than his two years at the Bridge in 2011-13.
The Spanish midfielder has been so good in his debut season that former club Barcelona have tried to kick-start their buy-back terms, but Mourinho felt they failed to meet the Blues requirements after his return in 2013.
After signing Valencia and Stuttgart on loan, Romeu joined Southampton in 2015 and has been a mainstay of the Mid-Premier League team.
Midfielder: Mohammed Salah
Another major regret, Salah made the Blues' decision to opt out of his departure in 2016 look foolish.
Liverpool spent £37 million to bring him to Anfield, where he inscribed his name in the club's history.
The Egyptian, currently one of the best players in the world, scored 134 goals in 212 games for the Reds, winning the Premier League and Champions League.
Since leaving Chelsea, Mohammed Salah has become one of the best players in the world
Midfielder: Juan Mata
The Spanish midfield organiser was named Chelsea Player of the Year for the first two seasons at Stamford Bridge and won the Champions League in 2012, but a year later Mourinho's return marked the Spaniard's loss of place.
After struggling with limited playing time, Mata left to join Manchester United in the winter of 2014 and remains there to this day.
Although his time at Old Trafford has not been very successful, there is still a feeling that Juan Mata will have a bigger breakthrough and achievement at Chelsea.
Forward: Robben
Robben won two Premier League titles at Chelsea, but injuries essentially ruined his third and final season at the club, before which he had been at the pinnacle of his career. Mourinho allowed the Dutchman to travel to Real Madrid in 2007, but in the next club Bayern Munich he enjoyed great success, winning 8 Bundesliga titles and 1 Champions League title, while cementing his position as one of the best attackers in football.
Robben's brief experience at Chelsea is often forgotten
Forward: Tammy Abraham
It's certainly too early to say that Chelsea regret selling the 24-year-old, but his early form at Roma suggests they are likely to buy him back at a later date.
Tammy Abraham scored 30 goals in 79 games for the Blues but fell sharply out of favor under Tuchel earlier this year before moving to Italy.
He has scored four goals and three assists for Roma and he was also recalled to England this month by Southgate. 【Daily Star】
#Chelsea ##Mourinho##Salah##De Bruyne##英超 #