Rudiger, Zola and the transfers that hurt Chelsea fans most

James Shearman

2 Jun 2022 07:33 CDT
4 min read

Antonio Rudiger, Chelsea, 2021-22 — © ProShots

Antonio Rudiger's Chelsea career is officially over after it was announced he is joining Real Madrid on a free transfer.

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He has signed a four-year contract.

The news that manager Thomas Tuchel's preferred central defender is on his way out is difficult for the Blues faithful to accept.

But, this is not the first time that Chelsea fans have been hurt by a transfer.

Gianfranco Zola (Cagliari)

Gianfranco Zola scored 59 Premier League goals, in seven seasons, but 14 of which came in his final campaign at Stamford Bridge - indicating that he had plenty more to give.

Add to that, in early 2003, Zola was voted as the best ever Chelsea player by the club's fans.

So, when he left for Cagliari just months later, his departure hurt Blues supporters like no other transfer in their history.

Within a week of his sale, new owner Roman Abramovich tried to convince Zola to return but he had given the Serie B side his word.

Juan Mata (Manchester United)

Juan Mata won Chelsea's player of the year award in both the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons - his only full campaigns at the club.

The latter, in particular, cemented Mata's place as one of the more talented players to grace the Premier League - with 12 goals and 12 assists.

Came to Man Utd at 25 and still i can’t explain what we did to him. Where did his career just go, he was meant to be a PL all timer. pic.twitter.com/GObIYkMjd0

— 𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇳🇱 (@TenHagBalI) April 25, 2022

However, the Spaniard's style was not to manager Jose Mourinho's liking, who sold him midway through the following season.

Mourinho's side then won the league a year later, with his typically pragmatic approach, so the decision could be justified, but Chelsea fans will still tell you that selling him was an enormous mistake.

Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)

In Diego Costa, Chelsea found the closest possible thing to legend Didier Drogba in the transfer market.

A powerful forward that no opposition defender would like to come up against, Costa thrived at Stamford Bridge before he fell out with then-manager Antonio Conte.

The two had huge personalities and it came as no surprise when they could no longer work together, despite winning the Premier League in 2016/17.

Costa's 27 goal contributions in 35 league appearances were not enough to extend his stay beyond three impressive years.

Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

Thibaut Courtois had been lined up as the long-term replacement for Chelsea legend Petr Cech for years.

And, while the Belgian won a Premier League title as manager Antonio Conte's starting goalkeeper, he left long before he could acquire the same legendary status as his predecessor.

Also, the way in which he handled his exit to Real Madrid was not taken to well by the Chelsea fans and the struggles of Kepa Arrizabalaga, his replacement, have only made the relationship between the two parties worse.

Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)

Antonio Rudiger's Chelsea career had been an average one until Thomas Tuchel arrived at the club in January of 2021.

Suddenly, the German, who had been on par with the likes of Kurt Zouma previously, developed an intensity to his game which has elevated him to world-class status.

In fact, Rudiger has been, arguably, the best centre-back around over the past 12 months and has also become a real fan favourite in west London.

His exit, alongside Andreas Christensen, makes for a difficult summer transfer window for the Blues.