The best Chelsea XI of Roman Abramovich's reign

James Shearman

• Updated: 2 Mar 2022 17:43 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea have employed a number of world-class players in Roman Abramovich's 19-year ownership of the club.

The Russian spent hundreds of millions on talent from around the world in order to elevate the Blues to the top.

And, Chelsea's recent Club World Cup victory means that Abramovich has won all of the major honours, and he will depart as one of football's most successful owners of all time in terms of trophies.

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The 55-year-old will leave Chelsea under a cloud but, from a sporting point of view, who makes the best XI of Roman Abramovich's Chelsea tenure?

Roman Abramovich’s best Chelsea XI

Petr Cech not only makes this XI, but perhaps the Premier League's all-time best XI, having kept the most clean sheets in the competition's history. He also had as great an influence on Chelsea's maiden Champions League success as anyone.

Cesar Azpilicueta is the only man to have won every major honour at the club, captaining the side to many of them. A truly underrated player.

Branislav Ivanovic was a pivotal figure in an excellent Chelsea backline for many years and is the club's second-highest scoring defender. He reportedly has a close relationship with Abramovich.

Captain, leader, legend. John Terry came through the Chelsea academy before Abramovich arrived but went on to become one of the Blues' greatest ever players under his reign.

Ricardo Carvalho was Terry's partner for the 2004/05 Premier League season in which Jose Mourinho's side conceded just 15 goals - a record that may never be broken.

Ashley Cole is the best left-back England have ever produced, plying his trade for Chelsea for eight trophy-laden seasons.

N'golo Kante has been a revelation, one of few active players to make the XI. After winning the Premier League with Leicester City, the Frenchman has elevated his game into Ballon d'Or contention at Stamford Bridge.

Claude Makalele had a role named after him. His ability to break up play is comparable only to Kante's in the Premier League era.

Frank Lampard remains Chelsea's all-time top goal scorer, from central midfield. Yet, the current Everton manager's all-round play was magnificent and deservedly earned him fan-favourite status in west London.

Eden Hazard was a joy to watch for several years, often carrying the offensive workload of a defensive-minded team. A special talent that could make a sensational return this summer.

Abramovich famously offered any striker in the world to Mourinho, who chose Didier Drogba rather out of the blue. But, that decision paid of with countless goals, none more important than the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final.