Chelsea Football Club has come to represent the 21st-century face of defensive excellence. Chelsea’s defense has been the pillar of their achievement time and time again. Winning multiple Premier League titles and that coveted Champions League prize. Here we are talking about the top 5 Chelsea defenders. Who have contributed to Chelsea’s defensive heritage since the year 2000.
Top 5 Chelsea Defenders of 21st Century
1. John Terry:
But, no matter who would be assessed first in that Chelsea defensive line-up, it would always have to start with John Terry. The best Chelsea captain, best led from the front since 1998-2017. It will come as no surprise to fans of the heart and soul of Chelsea‘s defensive philosophy, that Terry was it. With over 700 appearances for the club, Terry’s beliefs to be the perfect defender, his aerial ability and leadership qualities made him the perfect defender. He helped bring in five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and the 2012 Champions League was our winner. The legend was created when he was willing to throw his body in the line of fire for the sake of the team. Not only that, but Chelsea’s greatest defender of his generation and perhaps Premier League’s greatest.
2. Ricardo Carvalho:
When José Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in 2004. He took Ricardo Carvalho from Porto with him. A signing that redefined Chelsea’s defence forever. The Portuguese centre-back proved a unstoppable partnership with Terry. He provided technical quality to the pitch as well as tactical understanding.
Carvalho’s game intelligence was among the best in the world. And he would pick off decisive interceptions without diving in to try and make them. In six years at Chelsea, he won three Premier League titles and was one of the most refined defenders in world football.
3. Ashley Cole:
He was signed by London rivals Arsenal in 2006. Chelsea became the best left back where Ashley Cole drowned all the critics quickly. His combination of defensive solidity and attacking threat laid down new bases for the full-back. Unmatched was the speed at which Cole recovered the ball.
His understanding with the rest of the defense had been invaluable. Among his medals, he has won the Premier League, four FA Cups, the Champions League, and the Europa League with Chelsea. Very few defenders have played so consistently at the highest level.
4. Branislav Ivanović:
The adaptable Serbian signed in 2008 and has built himself as an iron man bringing defensive pillar to Chelsea since. He stood out greatly to the extent that he could play at right back and center back. Ivanović united physical strength with technical skill.
He was a danger at either end of the pitch and he was. Not least the late header that won the 2013 Europa League final, such was his ability to score at crucial times in big games, and he won the affection of football fans around the world. Ivanović was part of the Chelsea side which won three Premier League titles, three FA Cup and the Champions League and Europa League during his nine years stay with the club.
5. César Azpilicueta:
In 2012, he was an unsung signing. He went on to become one of the club’s most reliable servants. Being able to change form is what made the Spaniard so versatile to play in the defense, back up or in a back three or right back or left back.
Azpilicueta’s was professional and also very consistent and tactically aware. After Terry stepped down from the captaincy, he captained Chelsea to Champions League victory in 2021. It solidified his status as probably the club’s defensive great of the modern era.
These five defenders did not only create a generation of glory at Stamford Bridge. But they also established Chelsea’s ethos of defensive solidity that continues to this day.
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