For all the millions and millions of pounds that have been spent, there have been a number of high profile signings arrive at Stamford Bridge. Some players will have left a legacy at Chelsea for many years to come, however some will want to be forget their time in London as soon as possible.
5. Ricardo Quaresma
The skilful Portuguese winger was someone who came with a lot of promise and potential in his younger days. However Quaresma seemingly faded away in the shadows of Cristiano Ronaldo and will feel he never really reached his full potential as a player. Quaresma joined Chelsea in a loan deal during 2009. On the back of enduring tough spells at Porto and Inter Milan, where he was managed by current boss Chelsea Jose Mourinho, the winger joined Chelsea during the January transfer window.
Quaresma failed to make any real contribution during his time at Stamford Bridge. The winger made just four appearances and conjured up one assist. The winger picked up a reputation for being selfish and a ‘flop’, the trend continued at Chelsea and the Blue’s did not make a move for a permanent transfer.
4. Khalid Boulahrouz
Boulahrouz joined Chelsea in 2006 for a fee of £8.5m from Hamburg as a versatile Dutch defender, who seemingly still has potential to be filled. Boulahrouz was originally brought to the club to provide back up and competition for places alongside John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho. Boulahrouz started well at Chelsea, making a handful of impressive appearances.
Despite being held in high regard at Chelsea, but never managed to fulfil his potential. Boulahrouz started to fade out of favour at Chelsea, as well as this he suffered shoulder and knee injuries. He spent a season on loan at Sevilla but was later sold to VfB Stuggart in 2008 for around £5m. In the two years, Boulahrouz made just thirteen appearances.
3. Fernando Torres
One of the most controversial signings in the history of the club and the Premier League. Fernando Torres joined from Liverpool in the January transfer window of 2011 for a massive £50m. Torres joined with massive expectations and pressure on his shoulders before a ball had even been kicked. The enormous price tag would clearly play a massive part on his time at Chelsea.
Torres would endure a tough start at Chelsea, he did not manage to score his first Chelsea goal until the 23rd April against West Ham. Many believed that goal would be a spring board for Torres but the Spaniard never found consistency. Torres has since moved on to AC Milan this season, since joining the Italian side he has returned to his hometown team Atletico Madrid on loan. Throughout his five seasons at Stamford Bridge, Torres scored a total of forty six goals. Despite the lack of goals, Torres can boast a FA Cup winner’s medal, Champions League winner’s medal and a Europa League winner’s medal.
The medals can over shadow the harsh reality of Torres’ time at Chelsea. Yes the Spaniard scored important goals, for example the Semi Final of the Champions League and the final of the Europa League. After all of that, you have to question whether his contribution was worth £50m, defiantly not.
2. Andriy Shevchenko
The Ukrainian forward joined Chelsea in 2006 after being one of the most deadly strikers in European football during his time at AC Milan. Shevchenko joined Chelsea for a massive £30m, at the time a club record signing.
Similarly to Fernando Torres, Shevchenko arrived in London with an air of expectancy surrounding him. Many expected Shevchenko to be a major signing in Chelsea’s charge towards the coveted Champions League trophy. The striker’s time at Chelsea was plagued with injuries which saw him fall in and out the side. As well as this he spent the 2008-09 season on loan at his former club AC Milan.
He claimed an FA Cup winner’s medal, a League Cup winner’s medal and a Community Shield during his three year stint in England. In total Shevchenko scored twenty two goals over his three years in all competitions, which some-what tarnished his reputation as one of the best strikers in his generation. Shevchenko was another big money signing that failed to find consistency, despite showing glimpses of why the Blues spent the money they did.
1. Adrian Mutu
Adrian Mutu joined Chelsea from Parma in 2003, in what many expected to be a big transfer for the club for positive reasons. Not many expected the drama that would unfold for many years to come off the back of this move. After arriving for a big fee of £15.8m in 2003, Mutu started well. The Romanian forward scored four goals in his first three games.
Despite the successful start, Mutu’s time at Stamford Bridge soon went downhill. He endured a tough relationship with new manager Jose Mourinho upon his arrival in 2004. More importantly, in September of 2004 Mutu failed a drugs test and showed positive for cocaine. Because of this, he was later released by Chelsea in October that year.
As a result of Chelsea releasing Mutu from his contract, the Blues have seen a number of legal cases between the player and his former clubs. Cases that have spanned out over ten years over calls for compensation. With Mutu only managing just a small number of games, many would say it was nearly £16m well and truly wasted.
Do you agree with Ryan? Who would make your top five? You can tell him on Twitter @RyanDarby_ and give your opinion!
