Chelsea 5-1 West Ham, 20 January 2002: Where are the starting Chelsea XI that played then, now?

Defenders

Marcel Desailly - Retired

Marcel Desailly of Chelsea running with the ball

One of the greatest players of this generation, Marcel Desailly joined Chelsea after 5 seasons with Italian giants AC Milan in 1998/99 season. The Italian spend 6 seasons with the Blues winning the FA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup with Blues before Al-Gharafa and then later Qatar SC in 2004 and 2005 respectively before retiring in 2005 with the Qatar club.

The Euro Cup and World Cup winner made 222 appearances for the Blues scoring 7 goals during his time. The former captain helped in moulding then young centre-back John Terry to the world-class defender he became.

Mario Melchiot - Retired

Mario Melchiot of Chelsea in action

Perhaps the least heard-about name in the list of defenders, Mario Melchiot joined the Blues in the 1999/2000 season from Dutch giants Ajax. The Dutch international spend 5 seasons with London side winning the FA Cup being the only major trophy won during his time at Chelsea.

Mario Melchiot made 164 appearances and 4 goals for Chelsea before moving onto Birmingham City in 2004 and then later onto Rennes in 2006 and finally Wigan in 2007 ending his career at the Latics in 2010.

William Gallas - Retired

William Gallas celebrating his goal for Chelsea against Manchester United

More renowned for his fiery and aggressive nature on the pitch, William Gallas joined the Blues in 2001 after 4 seasons with French giants Marseille. The Frenchman 5 seasons with the Blue side of London winning the Premier League and Football League Cup during his time.

The former World Cup runners-up medalist made 225 appearances and scored 14 times before joining London rivals Arsenal in 2006 later moving onto Tottenham and Perth Glory in 2010 and 2013, retiring with the later mentioned club in 2013.

John Terry - Free Agent

Captain, Leader, Legend - JT26

Captain, Leader, Legend John Terry is one of the greatest centre-backs to have graced the World as well as the Premier League and an absolute legend of the game. A product of the club's youth system JT26 won every title, except the club world cup, with the Blues in a 19-year long career, joining Aston Villa in 2017.

717 appearances 67 goals, the greatest ever defender and arguably the greatest ever player for Chelsea. John Terry is now a free agent after his contract with Aston Villa expired.