Chelsea's most expensive signings ever

The Roman Abramovich era has brought vast amounts of success to Stamford Bridge - five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two Europa Leagues and a Champions League trophy sit among other honours.

Since the Russian's takeover of Chelsea in 2003, he has never been shy of splashing his cash on some of the biggest names in football to create some of the best and most successful teams in the game.

Big money signings have brought silverware and, while rival fans may not-so-affectionately refer to them as 'Chelski', the Blues have regularly been able to sit in front of their bright trophy cabinet and have the last laugh.

The club's 30 most expensive signings have all unsurprisingly come under Abramovich's reign - but, who are they?


30. Nemanja Matic - £21m

Nemanja Matic in action for the Blues | Michael Steele/Getty Images

The Serbian was brought back to Stamford Bridge for his second spell at at the club for £21m, £19.5m more than what they paid for him first time round.


29. Juan Cuadrado - £23.3m

Juan Cuadrado found success at Chelsea | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The Columbian didn't exactly light up Stamford Bridge as was anticipated, but he did manage a Premier League and League Cup double in 2015.


28. Juan Mata - £23.5m

A Champions League winner | Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Arrived at the Bridge in August 2011 and in his first season went on to win the Champions League and FA Cup, followed by the Europa League in his second.

A memorable player for Chelsea fans.


27. Marcos Alonso - £24m

Marcos Alonso in action for Chelsea | Steve Bardens/Getty Images

Despite not being a significant member of the Chelsea squad at the moment, the Spaniard was influential at left wing back for during the title winning season under Antonio Conte in 2016/17.


26. Didier Drogba - £24m

Prolific, iconic, legendary.

Didier Drogba affirmed himself as a Chelsea great over his two spells with the Blues with164 goals in 381 games and the above penalty (slide two) to secure the Champions League trophy in 2012.


25. Michael Essien - £24.4m

The Ghanaian was another fan favourite at Stamford Bridge, scoring some quite unbelievable goals during his nine year stay - including this famous strike against Arsenal.


24. Davide Zappacosta - £24.5m

Davide Zappacosta is now at Genoa | James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Not exactly the most memorable of players for Chelsea, but the Italian did make 52 appearances for the Blues, winning an FA Cup and Europa League along the way.


23. Oscar - £25m

Oscar was tipped for great things | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The one-time wonderkid signed for Chelsea in 2011 and failed to reach the great heights expected of him before leaving for China for £60m in 2017.


22. David Luiz - £25m

David Luiz in 2011 | AFP/Getty Images

Chelsea paid Benfica a reported £25m to bring the Brazilian to London in 2011, for his first spell at the Bridge.


21. Cesc Fabregas - £27m

Cesc Fabregas proved a great signing for Chelsea | Clive Rose/Getty Images

Arsenal fans may remember this one.

The Spaniard proved to be every bit as good as he was in his Gunners days when he returned to England with Chelsea, helping the Blues to the Premier League title in his first season with a whopping 19 assists along the way.


20. Antonio Rudiger - £29m

Antonio Rudiger arrived at Chelsea in 2017 | Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

The German cost the club just under £30m from Roma and has since gone on to play 124 times for the club.


19. Willian - £30m

Willian in action for Chelsea last season | Pool/Getty Images

The only player to score a Premier League goal in every calendar month - a bit of trivia well worth the £30m fee paid in 2013.


18. Andriy Shevchenko - £30.8m

A Ballon d'Or winner | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

22 goals in 77 appearances wasn't as good as Blues fans might have expected from the 2004 Ballon d'Or recipient.

He never managed more than five goals in a single Premier League season.


17. N'Golo Kante - £32m

N'Golo Kante has been an ever present since his arrival | Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

The fee paid for N'Golo Kante seems an absolute bargain for a player of his quality.

The Frenchman has helped Chelsea to league, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League titles so far.


16. Eden Hazard - £32m

Chelsea's star man for so long | Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

The Belgian arrived in 2012 and was consistently Chelsea's main man - with 202 goal contributions in 352 games - before leaving for Real Madrid in 2019.


15. Diego Costa - £32m

Diego Costa in the FA Cup final | Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

A little bit crazy, often unpredictable, and always fun to watch.

The Spaniard excited the Bridge for three seasons, scoring 58 goals during his time at the club.


14. Michy Batshuayi - £33.2m

Not the best of spells at Chelsea | Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

The Belgian did manage 25 goals in 77 at Chelsea but never really fulfilled his potential at the club.

Although he did score the goal that won them their fifth Premier League title in 2017.


13. David Luiz - £34m

David Luiz left Chelsea for Arsenal | Masashi Hara/Getty Images

The Brazilian returned to Chelsea from PSG for £34m in 2016, before saying farewell again in 2019 as he made the move to Arsenal.


12. Danny Drinkwater - £35m

Sent off for the Under-23 side | Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Well, this is shocking.

After helping Leicester to the league title, the Englishman made the switch to the Bridge but has endured a woeful time there. His most memorable contribution has arguably been a red card for kicking out at a 16-year-old in a reserve game - oh, Danny boy.


11. Hakim Ziyech - £35.3m

The big one.

The 21-year-old had 77 goal contributions in 150 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen before he switched to Chelsea in the summer - it seemed like money well spent.

However, the club's record singing has been hugely disappointing to date, but fans will be hoping new manager Tuchel gets every penny's worth out of him.



Source : 90min