Forget about who’s behind the masks in the newest reality TV sensation The Masked Singer – it’s all about which Blues can make it into our Masked XI! Head coach Frank Lampard confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Andreas Christensen had flown to Milan to be fitted with a protective mask after having his nose broken in a challenge with Anthony Martial against Manchester United on Monday night. Should the Danish centre-back feature against Spurs, he’ll be in contention for a spot among a team of masked Blues, but until then he’ll have to sit back and admire what we think would make a fantastic Chelsea team!
Petr Cech
The club’s greatest-ever goalkeeper can take his place in our line-up after a collision against Blackburn Rovers in 2011 resulted in a face mask being added to the head guard he wore for the majority of his Blues career.
Paulo Ferreira
There have probably been better Christmases for Ferreira than the one of 2011, when he spent Christmas Eve being fitted for a mask after suffering a fractured cheekbone following a clash with Gareth Bale.
John Terry
A bad challenge by Clint Dempsey in a rare fiery west-London derby left our Captain, Leader, Legend requiring a mask to protect a fractured cheekbone. It happened in the third minute of a game v Fulham in 2007 and he lasted until half-time before making way.
Gary Cahill
It wasn’t so much a case of third time lucky for our centre-back in 2015, whose nose was busted open when he scored in a pre-season game v Barca. Further incidents in games against Arsenal and Man City at the start of the campaign saw his nose broken in two further places!
Cesar Azpilicueta
Clearly Azpi learned a little too much from JT, as he put his head on the line just as Crystal Palace’s Fraizer Campbell prepared to kick the ball. Instead, the connection was flush with Azpi’s head, resulting in a double fracture to his cheekbone and a spell in a mask.
Ramires
Just in case you didn’t recognise Ramires after Galatasaray’s Burak Yilmaz broke his nose in 2014, the Brazilian midfielder put a handy reminder on his new facial attire!
Cesc Fabregas
Many of you may remember Charlie Adam’s wonder goal against the Blues from inside his own half in 2015, but it’s easily forgotten that he probably shouldn’t have been on the pitch to score it after smashing Fabregas in the face with his forearm…
Nemanja Matic
Members of our 2014/15 title-winning midfield didn’t fare well when it came to keeping their facial features intact, as Matic completes the trio following a double fracture to the nose in 2015. Still, he put the mask to good use by putting his kids’ names on it!
Fernando Torres
'Zorres' became the striker’s new nickname from team-mate Juan Mata after he spent seven weeks in a mask due to a broken nose suffered against Steaua Bucharest in 2013. It proved to be something of a good luck charm for the Spaniard during our run to Europa League glory.
Diego Costa
The Spain international was the fourth Blue to require a mask in the 2015/16 campaign, leading interim boss Guus Hiddink to say: ‘We’re a Zorro team!’ This was a little different from the others on this list, however, as he suffered it following a training-ground collision with an Academy player: Fikayo Tomori!
Pedro
After the run of appalling luck with facial injuries between 2013 and ’15, Pedro’s pre-season injury against Arsenal three years ago was the last time one of our players featured in a mask prior to Christensen’s recent incident.