Roman Abramovich’s greatest Chelsea XI features two Marseille bargains, a Real Madrid great and one of the best left backs ever produced

Roman Abramovich’s soon to end Chelsea era brought countless trophies, with a star cast of world-class players just as responsible for the club’s huge successes.

An ownership tenure that began in 2003 is on course to end in 2022, with the Russian oligarch selling off assets as pressure grows following his home country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The approaching end of Abramovich’s near-two decade tenure was confirmed on Wednesday with a statement expressing his thoughts on the ‘incredibly difficult decision’.

And while the 55-year-old’s exit and off the field conduct may be attracting extra scrutiny, there’s no escaping that he has brought incredible success during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Much of the silverware collected has been down to domination of the transfer market, with Chelsea announcing themselves as a European giant by attracting the best possible talent.

Abramovich has broken Chelsea’s club transfer record on nine occasions during his time in charge, but only one of those huge names makes it in his greatest ever eleven.

It’s instead been the shrewd purchases that have transformed west London into a top destination for the game’s greatest talent, bringing in lesser-known names from abroad, whilst cleverly selecting England’s most high-potential stars.

GK: Petr Cech

Hailing from the same side as current No.1 Edouard Mendy, Cech’s £7million signing from Rennes in 2004 was even more inspired with the Czech international undoubtedly securing his status as a Premier League great.

Cech’s league clean sheet record of 202 may never be beaten, and his foreign player appearance record for Chelsea of 494 makes him a no-brainer for this team.

RB: Cesar Azpilicueta

One of the smartest buys in this group, few in England had heard of Azpilicueta when he was purchased from Marseille for £7m in 2012.

Two decades on, and ‘Dave’ as he’s affectionately known by supporters, has won everything on offer, guiding Chelsea to European and world glory with the captain’s armband.

CB: John Terry

Not an Abramovich purchase, but Terry wouldn’t be one of England’s most decorated players without the Blues owner, unless the serial winner looked elsewhere.

The captain of the team and the figurehead of the Russian’s tenure, the two combined to take the club right to the top.

CB: Ricardo Carvalho

Carvalho helped turn Terry into a world class centre back and that legacy will forever keep him in Chelsea fans’ hearts, but it was his six-year spell where he showed his true class.

Part of back-to-back league titles in 2005 and 2006, Carvalho and Terry conceded just 15 league goals during the 04/05 season, a record that will surely never be beaten.

LB: Ashley Cole

One of the best moves in Chelsea’s history is equally one of the worst in Arsenal’s, Ashley Cole swapped sides 2006.

Cole won it all with Chelsea, and didn’t have a single flaw to his game as the perfect attacking and defending full-back, and was for a long time arguably the only English player who would make it into a world XI.

DM: Claude Makelele

Abrahmovic’s first real statement of intent saw Makelele convinced to leave Los Galacticos in Real Madrid to join his Chelsea revolution.

Not just one of the best midfielders in Chelsea’s history, but that of football itself, redefining the position as the most formidable opponent to face up against in the middle of the park.

CM: Frank Lampard

Chelsea’s all-time top scorer and a sure-fire guarantee of success, Chelsea only dropped below third in the table once during Lampard’s time at the club.

Lampard scored 15 or more goals in all competitions in nine of his 13 seasons at Stamford Bridge, always leading the side in quality and effort no matter the occasion.

CM: N’Golo Kante

A manager’s dream, Kante doesn’t even need coaching as he continually dominates some of the world’s best midfielders with ease.

Brought in from Leicester for £32m following their 2016 title success, Kante has won everything on offer for club and country, and has made a relatively high fee look like a bargain.

LW: Eden Hazard

Much like aforementioned legends such as Terry and Lampard, Hazard’s place in the heart’s of Chelsea fans is guaranteed due to his absurd consistency and love for the shirt.

A seven-season spell as the Premier League’s predominant attacking powerhouse ended in 2019 with a £130m failed move to Real Madrid, and you’ll be hard pressed to a Blues fan who doesn’t want him back, even on current form.

CF: Didier Drogba

Known by some as ‘The Drogba Final’ the Ivorian’s performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in 2012 will forever go down in history.

Drogba was the consummate professional at Chelsea, always putting in a defensive performance with some unstoppable displays up front making him a nightmare for any opponent.

RW: Arjen Robben

Robben had an injury-hit spell at the Bridge following his 2004 purchase, and it’s crazy to think what could have been achieved had he been available every week.

Nevertheless, the Dutchman was integral to back-to-back league wins following Abramovich’s arrival, and established Chelsea in Europe by destroying defender after defender.