Chelsea has had the privilege of attracting some of the top players in international football to Stamford Bridge throughout the years.
After signing with the Blues, Eden Hazard, Petr Cech, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech all achieved legendary status. They played key roles in Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup triumphs.
It is not always the most talented players who have the greatest relationship with fans.
Chelsea fans have had their fair share of cult heroes, just like every club. But their popularity doesn’t necessarily indicate their talent.
Silver Screen Beats SportBelow, we take a look at six Chelsea cult heros.
(Image by REUTERS)
Ed de Goey
The goalkeeper from the Netherlands joined Chelsea in 1997 from Feyenoord. He helped Chelsea win the League Cup as well as the UEFA Cup Winners Cup.
Two years later, he added the FA Cup to the collection. He was then overtaken by Carlo Cudicini who eventually left the Bridge in 2003.
De Goey was a Stoke player for three years before retiring from the sport. He is now a goalkeeping coach for VOC Rotterdam, a Dutch fifth-tier team.
Chelsea fans, which Chelsea fan do you consider your greatest cult hero ever? Comment below to let us know your thoughts.
(Image: GETTY)
Tore Andre Flo
After arriving in the summer of De Grey’s same year, Flo immediately became a favourite month for Chelsea fans by scoring a hat-trick against Tottenham in a 6-1 win.
The 6ft 4in striker scored many memorable goals in their Cup Winners’ Cup triumph, and also bagged a brace during a resounding Champions League victory over Barcelona two year later.
After scoring 50 goals in 163 matches, he quit the club in 2001. Before retiring, he played for Rangers and Sunderland as well as Italian club Siena and Norwegian outfit Valerenga.
Flo has been back to Chelsea since 2012, where she is a loan player technical coach.
(Image: GETTY)
Frank Leboeuf
The French defender proved a bargain for Chelsea after joining for just £2.5million in 1996, playing an integral role in League Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup and two FA Cup wins across five years at the Bridge.
He had 17 goals in his 144 Blues appearances. It was a great return for a center-back and earned him the cult-hero title.
Leboeuf spent some time in Marseille, Qatari clubs Al-Sadd & Al Wakrah before retiring in 2007. After retiring, Leboeuf has taken on a variety of acting roles as well as being a commentator/pundit.
(Image: GETTY)
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Adrian Mutu
In his short-lived Chelsea career Mutu was certainly a popular figure, gaining plenty of admirers when he netted four goals in his first four appearances after completing a £16million switch from Parma in 2003.
The Romanian star had a disappointing season. Although he scored only 10 goals in 36 games in his second season, Blues fans continued to sing his name.
He had not yet tested positive for cocaine, leaving Chelsea without choice but to terminate the contract.
After a brief stint in France, India, Italy and Romania, Mutu decided to leave football and enter management in 2016. Now Mutu is the manager of FC U Craiova in Romania.
(Image: Daily Mirror).
Hernan Crespo
It’s not clear why the Argentinian striker didn’t have a longer career at Chelsea, but his two seasons with the club are fondly remembered by the club’s fans.
Crespo scored 12 goals in 2003/04 and was then loaned out to AC Milan after Jose Mourinho arrived in 2004.
He returned to Mourinho’s side a year later, scoring 13 goals in 42 games. This helped them retain the title.
Crespo was still sent on loan at the end of the season to Inter Milan. Crespo signed for the club eventually and played for Genoa, Parma and then retired in 2012. He is now a coach, and most recently was in charge of Sao Paulo.
(Image: Press Association)
Salomon Kalou
Although he didn’t make it to the first team, Kalou was an undisputed super-sub in Chelsea’s history. He came off the bench to score crucial goals in his six-year tenure in west London.
John Arne Riise made his most memorable contribution in a Champions League semi final clash against Liverpool. His cross was turned into his own net by John Arne Riise to score the Blues a crucial away goal at Anfield.
“He crossed the ball in from the left, it landed right on Riise’s head, that’s why we love Salomon Kalou,”This was the song that Chelsea fans serenaded him with throughout the years.
Kalou is currently on the books of Lille, Hertha Berlin, and Botafogo in Brazil. He has yet to retire.
