About Chelsea
CHELSEA PLAYER PROFILES
Michael Ballack / Midfielder
Date of Birth 26 September 1976 Height 6-2 Weight 174 Birthplace Chemnitz, Germany Playing Career Chemnitz (49 apps/10 goals); Kaiserslautern (63 apps/12 goals); Bayer Leverkusen (78 apps/27 goals), Bayern Munchen (107 apps/44 goals) International Germany 70 caps/31 goals
Date of Birth 5 August 1980 Height 5-10 Weight 165 Birthplace Southampton Playing career Southampton (152 apps/2 goals), Fulham (loan; 12 apps/0 goals), Chelsea (48 apps/1 goal) International England 23 caps/1 goal A broken ankle, the first major injury of the England left back's career brought a halt to his Chelsea career in February 2005. It was rotten timing. Wayne had just begun to win back his regular place in a side heading towards Chelsea's first championship for 50 years, having been the outstanding new signing the previous season. He spent the second half of last season on loan at neighbors Fulham where he rebuilt his form and fitness and won a place in England's World Cup squad although he didn't play. Steady in defense and a bundle of energy going forward, Wayne's goal that destroyed Arsenal's Champions League dream in 2004 is one of the great Chelsea moments. Ricardo Carvalho / Defender
Date of Birth 18 May 1978 Height 6-0 Weight 174 Birthplace Amarante, Portugal Playing career Leca (20 apps/1 goal), Porto (73 apps/3 goals); Chelsea (49 apps/2 goals) International Portugal 31 caps/1 goal Ricardo was a key part of Porto's remarkable two years packed with trophies so it was no surprise when his manager José Mourinho chose to take him with him to Chelsea. A reputation as a central defender blessed with great anticipation and interception skills was enhanced at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, even if he did concede the penalty that led to Portugal's exit from the latter. An important part of Chelsea's rock solid defense for the past two seasons, back-to-back English championships have made it four domestic titles in a row for Ricardo in two different countries. Petr Cech / Goalkeeper
Date of Birth 20 May 1982 Height 6-5 Weight 187 Birthplace Plzen, Czechoslovakia Playing career Chmel Blsany (26 apps), Sparta Prague (26 apps), Rennes (70 apps); Chelsea (69 apps) International Czech Republic 44 caps A new arrival three summers ago who cost more than all the past goalkeepers in Chelsea history combined, Petr has progressed from being the most promising young 'keeper in Europe to arguably the best in the world. Very tall with incredible reaction speed and not shy to leave his goal line, he has to be good to keep Carlo Cudicini out the side. A run of 1024 minutes without conceding a goal between December and March of his first Chelsea season set a new English top flight record. By the end of the campaign he had his first championship medal and records for the fewest goals conceded and most clean sheets in an English top-flight season. A second Premiership title followed and frighteningly for the opposition, Petr has well over a decade ahead to further improve. Joe Cole / Midfielder
Date of Birth 8 November 1981 Height 5-9 Weight 167 Birthplace Islington Playing career West Ham (126 apps/10 goals), Chelsea (97 apps/17 goals) International England 37 caps/6 goals One of Chelsea's four players in England's World Cup squad, Joe has turned his long admired potential into genuine achievement in the past two seasons at Chelsea. Regularly played on the left or on the right of an attacking three, he has weighed in with crucial assists and goals, including a memorable strike on the day Chelsea won the League against Manchester United in May. He drew special praise for the way he had matured from departing manager Sven-Goran Eriksson who used him to solve England's perennial left-side problem and Joe scored one of the goals of the World Cup against Sweden. A born Londoner, he watched Chelsea as a boy from the stands. Hernán Crespo / Forward
Date of Birth 5 July 1975 Height 6-1 Weight 172 Birthplace Florida, Argentina Playing career River Plate (ARG) (64 apps/23 goals), Parma (116 apps/62 goals), Lazio (54 apps/39 goals), Inter Milan (18 apps/7 goals), Chelsea (49 apps/20 goals), AC Milan (28 apps/10 goals) International Argentina 58 goals/24 goals In their hearts most Chelsea fans believed they had seen the last of the Argentine striker when he left for Milan on loan at the end of a mixed first season at Stamford Bridge. But a year later Hernán came back - and with a vengeance - his spectacular winner at Wigan in the final seconds of the first game of last season was the best way possible to announce to the Premier League that he meant business. By the end of the campaign, the player who had once been the world's costliest player when signing for Italian giants Lazio, had his first league title in European football. He had contributed 10 Premiership goals in 20 starts and 10 sub appearances. Strong in the air and famed for his movement off the ball, Hernán is a classic penalty area predator. Carlo Cudicini / Goalkeeper
Date of Birth 6 September 1973 Height 6-1 Weight 169 Birthplace Milan, Italy Playing career AC Milan (0 apps), Como (6 apps), Prato (30 apps), Lazio (1 app), Castel di Sangro (14 apps); Chelsea (122 apps) Chelsea's undisputed first-choice 'keeper for two seasons, Carlo was many people's pick of the Premiership during that time. Super-sharp reflexes, lightning off his line and great with his feet, he can also claim to be one of the best penalty-stoppers ever. He was voted Chelsea Player of the Year in 2002 and was sorely missed when out injured. The club bolstered the goalkeeping stock with Petr Cech in the summer of 2004 leaving Carlo with stiff competition between the posts. He has become second choice but is the favored 'keeper for domestic cup competitions and has signed a long contract to stay to fight for a place. Only John Terry has been at Chelsea longer. Lassana Diarra / Midfielder
Date of Birth 13 March 1985 Height 5-10 Weight 165 Birthplace Paris, France Playing career Le Havre (29 apps/4 goals); Chelsea (3 apps/0 goals) Spotted by Chelsea playing in an under-20 international tournament, Lassana impressed on trial and became the quiet addition to the squad in the summer of 2005. The Paris-born 21-year-old specialises in the defensive midfield function that has become synonymous with Claude Makelele, although there are differences. Lassana is left-footed and not shy to try his luck with the odd shot from distance. His seven first-team appearances last season were impressive and had José Mourinho predicting a golden career ahead. Didier Drogba / Forward
Date of Birth 11 March 1978 Height 6-2 Weight 195 Birthplace Abidjan, Ivory Coast Playing career Le Mans (62 apps/11 goals), Guingamp (45 apps/20 goals), Marseille (35 apps/18 goals), Chelsea (55 apps/22 goals) International Ivory Coast 35 caps/24 goals Pace combined with strength and awesome aerial power in front of goal make Didier the type of forward not seen at Stamford Bridge for a long time. Signed in the summer of 2004 from Marseille where he had been named France's Player of the Year, his reported £24 million ($44.3 million) transfer fee made him the second most expensive striker in British football history at that point. Didier scored in the victorious Carling Cup Final of 2005 and the man asked to fill the central position in the front three netted 16 times both that season and the one before. In the summer he spearheaded Ivory Coast in their first World Cup Finals, scoring against Argentina. Raised in France but a superstar in Africa. Michael Essien / Midfielder
Date of Birth 3 December 1982 Height 6-0 Weight 169 Birthplace Accra, Ghana Playing career Bastia (65 apps/11 goals), Lyon (71 apps/7 goals); Chelsea (31 apps/2 goals) International Ghana 20 caps/4 goals A protracted transfer that dragged on almost as long as the 2005 offseason finally came to an end when Michael's former club Lyon accepted a Chelsea record fee (reported to be £24.4 million, or $45 million) for their star midfielder who had been voted Player of the Year in France. A powerhouse player who finds no difficulty in getting around the pitch, he earned the nickname 'Bison' in France. Capable of playing deep in midfield, Michael can also take up more attacking positions and likes to try his luck shooting from distance. He grew up in Ghana and was one of that country's best players in Germany in their first World Cup. He played 42 times in his first Chelsea season and added a league title to the two he had won at Lyon. The most expensive African footballer in the world. Paulo Ferreira / Defender
Date of Birth 18 January 1979 Height 6-0 Weight 169 Birthplace Cascais, Portugal Playing career Estoril (37 apps/2 goals), Vitoria Setubal (69 apps/2 goals), Porto (62 apps/2 goals), Chelsea (50 apps/0 goals) International Portugal 32 caps In 2004, José Mourinho paid a British record £13.2 million ($24.3 million) fee for a full-back to purchase the defender who had walked the road to Champions League glory with him at Porto. He knew he was buying a consistent performer who is a supplier of dangerous crosses. Paulo immediately became first choice on arriving at Stamford Bridge and was one of the major reasons why the Chelsea defense suffocated so many attacks. A broken foot in March 2005 removed him from the action but by then he had already won the Carling Cup and done his bit on route to the Premiership and a record-breaking defensive season. Last season he was a less regular choice but played still played in 32 games and scored his first Chelsea goal. William Gallas / Defender
Date of Birth 17 August 1977 Height 5-11 Weight 158 Birthplace Asnieres, France Playing career Caen (34 apps/0 goals), Marseille (84 apps/2 goals), Chelsea (159 apps/12 goals) International France 47 caps/1 goal In his prime and firmly established as a French international, the last two seasons have seen William add the first major honours of his career. When father figure Marcel Desailly left in the summer of 2004, William's searing pace and superb one-on-one defending became an even more key component of Chelsea's rearguard as the defensive record books were rewritten. Centre back is his preferred position but he is also a world-class performer at fullback, a major reason why he has been one of Chelsea's most-selected players during his five years at Stamford Bridge. As immaculate as ever in the World Cup, he was one of France's top performers in the Final but sadly was not rewarded with the chance to lift the trophy. Gérémi / Midfielder
Date of Birth 20 December 1978 Height 5-11 Weight 185 Birthplace Batousam, Cameroon Playing career Racing Bafoussam (CAM), Cerro Porteño (6 apps/0 goals); Genclerbirligi (57 apps/9 goals), Real Madrid (45 apps/0 goals), Middlesbrough (33 apps/7 goals), Chelsea (53 apps/3 goals) International Cameroon 77 caps/12 goals A Cameroon international regular, Gérémi incredibly had played on four different continents before the age of 21. A convincing Premiership audition on loan at Middlesbrough persuaded Chelsea to pay Real Madrid £6.9 million ($12.75 million) three summers ago for a player capable of filling any position in midfield or playing right back. A threat to goal with a deadball, Gérémi is a regular for his country with whom he has won an Olympic gold medal and two African Cup of Nations. He is an important and trusted squad player, especially at right-back where he played in last season's FA Cup semi-final. Hilario / Goalkeeper
Date of Birth 21 October 1975 Height 6-2 Weight 185 Birthplace São Pedro da Cova, Portugal Playing career Naval 1° Maio (27 apps), Academica (43 apps/2 goals), FC Porto (40 apps), Estrela Amadora (27 apps), Varzim (24 apps), Nacional (59 apps) With young Lenny Pidgeley moving on in the summer, a new third choice 'keeper was needed. This time experience was chosen. Hilario, a 30-year-old goalkeeper was out of contract and agreed to join the Portuguese contingent at Stamford Bridge. The former under-21 international had played two spells at Porto where he was a part of domestic league and cup wins. The second spell was under José Mourinho. He left Porto for his most recent club, Nacional, to gain more first-team games. He arrives fully aware of the backup duties that lay-ahead. Salomon Kalou / Forward
Date of Birth 5 August 1985 Height 6-0 Weight 170 Birthplace Oume, Ivory Coast Playing career ASEC Abidjan, Feyenoord (67 apps/35 goals), Excelsior (11 apps/4 goals) The second new signing of the summer was completed at the end of May when an undisclosed transfer fee was paid to Dutch club Feyenoord for the 20-year-old striker. He signed a three-year contract. The Ivory Coast-born striker had performed in the Dutch league for three seasons. In 2003/04 he made two appearances for Feyenoord but played the bulk of the season on loan with second division Excelsior, where he scored four times in 11 appearances. Back at Feyenoord he found the net 35 times in 60 top flight starts plus seven sub appearances. The 20 goals he scored in 2004/05 was the second best total in the Dutch top division that season and he was selected as the winner of the Johan Cruyff Award for young talent playing in Holland. Quick and skillful, he can perform anywhere across the front line. Frank Lampard / Midfielder
Date of Birth 21 June 1978 Height 6-0 Weight 187 Birthplace Romford, England Playing career West Ham (148 apps/23 goals), Swansea (9 apps/1 goal); Chelsea (186 apps/50 goals) International England 45 caps/11 goals Scorn was raised at his original £11 million ($20 million) transfer fee five years ago - but who's laughing now? Frank drives Chelsea on from midfield game after game after game. In November 2005, he broke the Premier League consecutive appearance record. Frank fired Chelsea to the 2005 Championship as he was top scorer from midfield with 13 goals in the League and 19 overall. There was no one more appropriate to score the magical goals at Bolton to clinch the title. For the 2006 win he went one better, scoring a landmark 20. He also creates more goals than any Chelsea player in recent memory and was voted the second-best player in the world in 2005. Frank's failure to shine or score in the World Cup for England was a major surprise but he remains as close to indispensable as you'll find in modern squad-based football. Claude Makelele / Midfielder
Date of Birth 18 February 1973 Height 5-7 Weight 143 Birthplace Kinshasa, DR Congo Playing career Nantes (169 apps/9 goals), Marseille (32 apps/2 goals), Celta Vigo (70 apps/3 goals), Real Madrid (126 apps/0 goals), Chelsea (97 apps/1 goal) International France 50 caps A specialist player, considered by many the world's best at executing the midfield anchor role, Claude has the medals to prove it. He won the French league at Nantes and the Spanish league and Champions League at Real Madrid prior to his £13.9 million ($25.6 million) signing in the summer of the Abramovich revolution. He started at Chelsea as he meant to go on, gliding around in front of the defence, disrupting the opposition and distributing the ball with care. Short in height but high on stamina, only three outfield players made more appearances last season and he has been one of the heroes of Chelsea's titles win. He came out of international retirement to help France to the World Cup Final but will now concentrate solely on Chelsea again. Jon Obi Mikel / Midfielder
Date of Birth 22 April 1987 Height 6-2 Weight 176 Birthplace Plateau State, Nigeria Playing career Plateau United (NGA), Lyn Oslo (4 apps/1 goal) International Nigeria 4 caps/1 goal A long transfer saga was completed this summer when agreement was reached with Manchester United and Norwegian club Lyn Oslo that allowed Chelsea to sign the 19-year-old Nigerian midfielder. A combined £16 million ($29.5 million) was paid to the other clubs. John Obi's standing as one of the brightest young talents in the game had been confirmed at the African Cup of Nations earlier in the year when his ball skills impressed during three appearances for his national side, scoring one goal. His senior international debut had come in August 2005. He had also starred in the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Youth Championships where he was voted the tournament's second best player as Nigeria made the final. The player trained with Chelsea for one week in the winter of 2004. José Mourinho had seen enough and the player will be part of the first team squad for the season ahead. Arjen Robben / Midfielder
Date of Birth 23 January 1984 Height 6-0 Weight 143 Birthplace Bedum, Netherlands Playing career FC Groningen (45 apps/8 goals), PSV Eindhoven (56 apps/17 goals), Chelsea (46 apps/13 goals) International Netherlands 23 caps/7 goals Arjen became a symbol of Chelsea's increasing power on rejecting a move to Old Trafford three summers ago in favour of one to Stamford Bridge. Left-footed but able to play on either flank or as supporting striker, the young Dutch international's searing pace, dribbling skills, dangerous crossing and eye for goal have marked him down as one of the brightest young stars in world football. Although his arrival kick-started Chelsea to the championship, injuries inflicted by reckless opponents meant an off and on first year at Chelsea and he was not always first-choice during his second. But when he is fit and in form, his impact is stunning. He caught the eye in the World Cup despite Holland's early exit and national coach Marco van Basten believes Arjen has the potential to become the world's very best. Andriy Shevchenko / Forward
Date of Birth 29 August 1976 Height 6-0 Weight 159 Birthplace Dvirkivshchyna, Ukraine Playing career Dynamo Kiev (116 apps/60 goals), AC Milan (208 apps/127 goals) International Ukraine 69 caps/31 goals Not since Ruud Gullit in 1995 have Chelsea signed a name so admired throughout the world of football. It was a sign of shifting power that a player like Andriy could be prised away from a club like AC Milan at his very peak. The 29-year-old signed before the World Cup for a Chelsea record fee but there is little doubt what José Mourinho has bought - a goal machine of immense versatility. The Ukrainian can play anywhere in attack, and in any formation, as he proved in Italy where he scored 173 times in 296 games in all competitions, the second highest total in Milan history. He won the Serie A title and the Champions League in Italy (scoring the winning penalty against Juventus in the 2003 Final) and was twice league top scorer. He was the first non-Italian to achieve such a feat in his first season. In 2004, Andriy was named the European Footballer of the Year and is the highest scorer in the history of the Champions League competition. Prior to Milan he won five league titles in five seasons with Dynamo Kiev and this summer he captained Ukraine to the World Cup quarter-finals at their first attempt. Swift, skilful and deadly with both feet and his head - Sheva is the complete striker. John Terry / Defender
Date of Birth 7 December 1980 Height 6-2 Weight 192 Birthplace London Playing career Nottingham Forest (6 apps/0 goals), Chelsea (186 apps/14 goals) International England 29 caps/1 goal Chelsea to the core and a true hero to the fans, John has graduated from being a great prospect to a fully-fledged star as he commands the defence from his position as captain. Having also made his mark at international level with a regular place at the World Cup, he is strong favourite to be the next England captain. As brave as they come, he is by no means slow but any deficiency in pace is more than compensated by a superb reading of the game. Sound technique and distribution make him more than just a defenders' defender. John led the club to the elusive Premiership title in his very first year wearing the skipper's armband and with the Carling Cup and a second championship now added, he is one of only four Chelsea captains to lift major honours, contributing world class displays and 15 crucial goals during the last two seasons. Voted the Player of the Year in England for 2004/5 by his fellow professionals and Chelsea Player of the Year for 2005/6 by the fans, José Mourinho has dubbed him 'the best centre-back in the world'. Shaun Wright-Phillips / Midfielder
Date of Birth 25 October 1981 Height 5-6 Weight 141 Birthplace London Playing career Manchester City (153 apps/26 goals), Chelsea (27 apps/0 goals) International England 8 caps/1 goal Reinforcements in the winger department arrived last summer with the purchase of one of the most exciting young talents in English football for a reported £21 million ($38.75 million). The youngster showed versatility at his former home Manchester City - attacking on either flank, playing as a striker and even as wingback. He began to be noticed as much more than just former Arsenal star Ian Wright's adopted son. A fine solo goal on his international debut for England preceded his move to Chelsea but he didn't find the net in his first season at Stamford Bridge amongst immense competition for places. José Mourinho has predicted a much more productive second campaign now the 24-year-old has settled. If he does he should win back the England squad place he lost prior to the World Cup. The fastest player at Chelsea.
