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#3 Ruud Gullit
Chelsea bagged the signature of the great Ruud Gullit in July 1995, hoping to bring prestigious trophies to Stamford Bridge. Although at the twilight of his career, the Dutchman came with a big reputation.
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He had won three Serie A crowns with AC Milan and three Eredivisie titles (two with PSV Eindhoven and one with Feyenoord), and even lifted the European Championship with the Netherlands in 1988.
At Chelsea, he adapted really quickly and was crowned the 1996 Chelsea Player of the Year. Thanks to his "Total Football" DNA, the natural second striker excelled in the middle of the park as well, regularly contributing with defence-piercing passes.
Unfortunately, even with his quality, Chelsea could not win the coveted Premier League title. Failing to win even a single trophy with the London outfit, Gullit first became the club’s player-manager in the summer of 1996 before retiring in 1998.
#2 Marcel Desailly
Back in the day, defenders generally had a one-track mind. Chelsea star Marcel Desailly was a shining exception to that rule. Desailly not only excelled as a centre-back but he was also a potent defensive midfielder and a sweeper.
Chelsea, however, mostly used his talents at the heart of defense, but having his versatility surely helped.
Desailly joined Chelsea from AC Milan in the summer of 1998. He went on to win the World Cup with France the same year, greatly increasing the expectations of Chelsea fans.
Fortunately, Desailly was not one to disappoint his supporters. He performed diligently for the London side for six straight seasons, featuring in 218 games.
The 2000 Euro Cup winner helped the club to the 1999–00 FA Cup and 1998 Super Cup, but could not bag the prestigious Premier League.
#1 Gianfranco Zola
Over the years, Chelsea have seen some exceptional performers weave their magic on the hallowed pitch at Stamford Bridge. They have dribbled, scored, and defended the crest with all their might, etching their name in the history books.
Gianfranco Zola, despite not winning a Premier League title with the Blues, is right up there with the very best. He is rated as one of the best players in the history of the great football club.
Zola moved to west London in 1996 and stayed put for seven long seasons. The two-time Chelsea Player of the Year was an exceptional dribbler and scored goals worth writing home about. The Italian won the FA Cup in his debut season and then another in the 1999-00 season.
He also won a League Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and the Super Cup with Chelsea, but could not manage to win the top-flight title.
He played 301 competitive games for Chelsea, scoring 75 goals.
