Chelsea captured Ballon d’Or winner for free before snatching Champions League hero

Chelsea have been criticised for their transfer policy in recent years, but there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that free transfers can work out

Chelsea’s transfer approach has come under fire in recent years, with a number of marquee signings failing to make the anticipated impact.

Before Liam Rosenior’s appointment as head coach last month, the Blues had splashed out well over £300million during the summer, with several of their expensive acquisitions yet to justify their price tags.

Players such as Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Alejandro Garnacho have struggled to deliver consistent performances for a side whose spending suggests they should be mounting a Premier League title challenge – yet that remains far from the reality for the west London outfit.

Despite the enormous outlay under Clearlake Capital’s ownership, Chelsea are still some way off reclaiming their place at the pinnacle of English football. With Rosenior in the infancy of his tenure, there’s an opportunity for the Blues to bolster their squad through free agents.

Here, we look at some of the club’s most successful free transfers….

Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva was snapped up by Frank Lampard’s side on a free transfer after departing Paris Saint-Germain. He penned a one-year contract in 2020 and remained at the Bridge until 2024.

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The Brazilian, who had won titles with AC Milan and PSG but never the Champions League, lifted the coveted trophy in his debut season with the Blues. Silva made 155 appearances for Chelsea and became the first defender since John Terry in 2006 to claim the club’s Player of the Year award in 2023.

He left upon the expiry of his contract last summer to rejoin Fluminense, before putting pen to paper with Porto the following December for a second spell with the Portuguese heavyweights.

Didier Drogba

Widely regarded as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever strikers, Didier Drogba arrived from Marseille in 2004 and accumulated 10 trophies, including the unforgettable 2012 Champions League victory, sealed with his iconic header and crucial penalty.

Following a brief spell in China with Shanghai Shenhua, he moved to Galatasaray where he helped clinch the Super Lig title before making an emotional return to Stamford Bridge in 2014. The Ivorian signed a one-year deal and claimed his fourth Premier League title under Jose Mourinho.

Gus Poyet

After a seven-year spell at Real Zaragoza, where he departed as their longest-serving foreign player, Gus Poyet joined Chelsea on a free transfer in 1997. The former midfielder endured an injury-ravaged debut season after tearing his ACL but went on to establish himself as a reliable goalscorer over the following three years in west London.

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Netting 49 goals in 145 appearances, Poyet enjoyed a trophy-laden period at the Blues, lifting the FA Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Super Cup and League Cup.

Samuel Eto’o

Another iconic forward who arrived without a transfer fee was Samuel Eto’o in 2013. Having been among the elite players who joined Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, the Cameroonian reunited with Mourinho on a 12-month deal.

His signing followed Chelsea’s failed attempt to secure Wayne Rooney, and he brought an impressive tally of more than 250 goals from spells at Barcelona, Inter Milan and Mallorca. The striker netted 12 times for the Blues, notably scoring a treble against Manchester United.

Though Chelsea didn’t see Eto’o performing at his supreme best, his stint at Stamford Bridge proved highly enjoyable.

Ruud Gullit

During the 16 years before Ruud Gullit’s 1995 free transfer to Chelsea, the iconic Dutchman had been integral to one of football’s most dominant club sides at AC Milan.

The 1987 Ballon d’Or recipient may have been approaching the end of his playing days at Stamford Bridge, yet his reliable displays saw him come second to Eric Cantona for the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year honour in his first campaign.

Gullit additionally took on the role of Chelsea’s player/manager during his final two seasons, leading them to FA Cup triumph in 1997 – the club’s first significant silverware in 26 years.

Michael Ballack

Michael Ballack joined Chelsea following the expiry of his Bayern Munich deal, rejecting overtures from Manchester United, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan. His decision to move to Stamford Bridge was influenced by Robert Huth and Jens Lehmann.

After winning three Bundesliga titles with Bayern, the midfielder arrived to compete with Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele and Michael Essien for a spot in Mourinho’s midfield. During his four-year tenure in the capital, Ballack claimed three FA Cups, a Premier League crown and the League Cup, amassing more than 160 appearances.

He left Stamford Bridge in 2010 before retiring from professional football in 2012.

Gianluca Vialli

Gianluca Vialli, who sadly died in 2023, had a distinguished 16-year career in Italy where he represented Cremonese, Sampdoria and Juventus. Following his four-year period in Turin, Vialli ventured overseas for the first time to sign for the Blues in 1996 on a free transfer.

The former striker spent his final three years as a player in west London and netted an impressive 40 goals across 88 matches. Having secured 11 major trophies prior to his Premier League switch, he added three further honours at Stamford Bridge by lifting the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

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