Chelsea is without any doubt one of the top clubs in the English league. Their trophy cabinet reads an array of boasts, and their history reads that they have been matched by some of the world-class players. Despite boasting such extra-ordinarily great talent, Chelsea yet has to find a Ballon d’Or winner who has played for the Blues However, some players who wore Chelsea blue later won it with other clubs, while others almost won it, but none won it while with Chelsea.
Abramovich’s Impact: A New Era for Chelsea
Roman Abramovich really transformed Chelsea with his arrival in 2003 because he transformed the club from an almost ordinary winning team into European champions. Indeed, before his takeover, the Blues had won only one league title and a few domestic trophies. However, his support helped Blues to recruit a star-studded team that achieved five Premier League titles and two Champions League wins.
The fans thought that with such huge numbers of top players in the squad, one of them would bring home the Ballon d’Or sooner or later. However, this continued to elude Stamford Bridge, mainly because of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominating the award for a long time.
Former Chelsea Players Who Won the Ballon d’Or Elsewhere
Despite this, the Ballon d’Or has never been collected by a Chelsea player at the club, though three players in the end did join the Blues who collected the award while still at AC Milan.
Ruud Gullit won it as one of that famed Dutch trio forming part of Milan in 1987. Close to a decade later, he joined Chelsea as a player-manager, leaving his mark with his leadership.
George Weah was the first non-European, and indeed the only African Ballon d’Or winner until 1995. He joined Chelsea on loan from Milan in 2000, who still had the brief spark of star power.
Andriy Shevchenko won the award in 2004, beating Barcelona’s Deco and Ronaldinho. In 2006, he signed for Chelsea, though the player could not meet the expectations when at London despite his success when at Milan.
These players arrived with Ballon d’Or credentials but couldn’t replicate their peak form at Chelsea.
Chelsea Players Who Came Close to The Ballon d’Or
Despite the absence of a winner, a few Chelsea stars have come close to claiming the Ballon d’Or.
The closest Frank came was when he became the runner-up to Ronaldinho in 2005. His great performances ensured the blues won the first Premier League title under Jose Mourinho. Though Lampard did not win, the near miss was something for the Blues’ fans to be proud of as he outran Liverpool‘s Steven Gerrard to end up as the runner-up.
Not very long ago was when the Italian Maestro made it to the Ballon d’Or top three. It was 2021, Blues’ Champions League winning season and Italy’s Euro’s winning campaign. The common point in both the tournaments was Jorginho and his class performance. And because of this many believed he deserved the award more than anyone that year.
Sam Kerr’s Success in The Women’s Ballon d’Or
The women’s version of Chelsea has brought their side in close proximity to Ballon d’Or glory with Sam Kerr. She is finishing third in both 2021 and 2022 and placed second in 2023. Kerr’s consistent top-three finishes underpin her elite talent and places her as Chelsea’s best chance to secure a Ballon d’Or in the future.
Conclusion
Chelsea has not had a winner of the Ballon d’Or. However, the future may look bright for the club with players like Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, who already have a pretty good history to count on. The Blues’s fans can hope because the club has what it takes to develop into that Ballon d’Or level.
Chelsea still hunts for individual accolades. Fans do not lose hope as do players. Long may be the journey, but achievements made by Chelsea show that anything can be done, and perhaps the Ballon d’Or may find its way to Stamford Bridge someday.
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