The fans have spoken! The votes have been counted and verified, and we can now reveal who has been selected in Chelsea’s Team of 120.
For the past week, voting has been open across the Official Chelsea App and website for Blues fans around the world to choose their ultimate XI to mark our 120-year anniversary celebrations.
Over that 120-year period, we’ve fielded some of the world’s greatest players. Only 11 could make our final list for our men’s Team of 120, utilising a 4-3-3 system.
So here we go, this is the side that you, the fans, have voted for!
- Click here to see Chelsea Women's Team of 120!
Goalkeeper
It’s no surprise to see the goalkeeper position is taken up by Petr Cech. Joining in 2004, the stopper would go on to win every domestic and European club honour possible, and broke Peter Bonetti’s Chelsea clean sheet record.
There is no doubt about Cech’s finest hour: the 2012 Champions League final in Munich, and specifically his penalty heroics.
In extra-time, with the Blues and Bayern locked at 1-1, Cech kept out a spot-kick from Arjen Robben, his former Chelsea team-mate. He would then make two saves in the subsequent shoot-out, allowing Didier Drogba to step up and sweep home the winning spot-kick.
Defence
The defence is made up of four incredible defenders. Cesar Azpilicueta, arguably one of Chelsea’s best value-for-money signings in our recent history, lines up at right-back.
The former skipper won everything on offer, including the Champions League, a pair of Europa Leagues and Club World Cup, as well as two Premier League titles.
Our central pairing is a formidable partnership, who passed through Stamford Bridge at different times but always had respect for one another.
John Terry. Who else? Our captain, leader, legend was a clear inclusion following his years of loyal service, going on to be Chelsea’s most successful player with 15 major honours to his name and having captained the Blues more than anyone else.
Alongside him is Thiago Silva. The Brazilian joined on a free transfer as he approached the twilight years of his career. You wouldn’t have thought so though, as he consistently put in performances that belied his age.
Thiago departed after four years, having helped us lift the Champions League and the Club World Cup, returning to his homeland to sign for Fluminense.
Our back four is completed by Ashley Cole lining up at left-back. The England international joined us from Arsenal in 2006 and added another Premier League title to his collection, along with five FA Cups in Chelsea blue.
Midfield
At the base of our midfield is a player who has, quite literally, had a position named after him. So, in the ‘Makelele role’ is, of course, Claude Makelele.
He would screen the back four and become a key player under Jose Mourinho’s conquering side.
Either side of Maka is N’Golo Kante and Frank Lampard. The former, one of the most popular figures to ever pull on the Blue shirt and the latter, our record goalscorer. Both are fully deserving of their spots in our Team of 120.
Forwards
This front three is, quite simply, breathtaking. Playing just behind the central striker are two of the best players to have ever done it at Stamford Bridge.
First up is the little Italian magician, Gianfranco Zola. Twice voted as our Player of the Year, he lit up the Bridge with incredible flair, skill and goals – who can forget the strikes against Norwich, Manchester United and Wimbledon among others?
Alongside Franco is Eden Hazard, who lays claim to being the most skilful footballer to have ever played for Chelsea.
It was the summer of 2012 when Hazard, the most coveted young player in the world, announced he would be leaving Lille to sign for the Champions League winners. He left seven years later with the status of one of the all-time Chelsea greats, having helped the team win the Premier League on two occasions, the Europa League twice and the FA Cup and League Cup once. He was also voted Chelsea Player of the Year a record four occasions.
And finally, leading the line in our Team of 120, is Didier Drogba – the man for the big occasion.
The Ivorian netted an incredible nine cup final goals, playing an integral part in the most successful period in the club’s history.
He won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and, in the most dramatic and glorious of circumstances, the Champions League. He was also named Chelsea's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year and won the Premier League Golden Boot twice.