Chelsea’s transformation into a European superpower produced a generation of icons, layered on top of the club’s older cult heroes. These are the ten who mattered most.

1. 1

   Frank Lampard

   Chelsea · England

   The club’s all-time leading goalscorer, an astonishing return for a midfielder.

2. 2

   Didier Drogba

   Chelsea · Ivory Coast

   The ultimate big-game striker, whose goals delivered the club’s first Champions League.

3. 3

   John Terry

   Chelsea · England

   Captain, leader, legend — a one-club defender at the heart of the golden era.

4. 4

   Gianfranco Zola

   Chelsea · Italy

   The little magician, voted the club’s greatest ever player by its supporters.

5. 5

   Petr Čech

   Chelsea · Czech Republic

   A record-setting goalkeeper whose clean sheets underpinned a decade of trophies.

6. 6

   Eden Hazard

   Chelsea · Belgium

   A mercurial talent who won two titles as the team’s creative spark.

7. 7

   Peter Osgood

   Chelsea · England

   The King of Stamford Bridge, an iconic forward of the club’s 1970s cup-winning side.

8. 8

   Claude Makélélé

   Chelsea · France

   The holding midfielder so influential the role was named after him.

9. 9

   Ashley Cole

   Chelsea · England

   Widely rated the finest defensive left-back of his generation.

10. 10

    Dennis Wise

    Chelsea · England

    The combative captain who led the club’s trophy resurgence in the late 1990s.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.