# The 13 Best Players Chelsea Sold Too Soon

> Chelsea's academy and squad churn has gifted rivals a shocking amount of talent — future league winners, record-breakers and World Cup names who did their best work after leaving Stamford Bridge. Which one hurts the most? Cast your vote!

*By YPB Team · Published July 22, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-13-best-players-chelsea-sold-too-soon*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Mohamed Salah** — score 1000/1000
   Sold to Roma after a quiet spell, he returned to England as Liverpool's record-breaking talisman.
2. **Fikayo Tomori** — score 862/1000
   The defender left for AC Milan and won a Serie A title as a key starter.
3. **Tammy Abraham** — score 517/1000
   The academy striker sold to Roma, where he scored freely under Mourinho.
4. **Declan Rice** — score 517/1000
   Released by the academy at 14, he grew into a England midfield mainstay and record signing.
5. **Marc Guehi** — score 517/1000
   Left for Crystal Palace and became an England centre-back and captain material.
6. **Nathan Ake** — score 517/1000
   Sold to Bournemouth, later a Premier League and Champions League winner with Manchester City.
7. **Bertrand Traore** — score 423/1000
   The Burkinabe forward sold to Lyon after flashes of promise in blue.
8. **Nathaniel Chalobah** — score 423/1000
   Highly rated academy midfielder who never got a real run at the Bridge.
9. **Juan Mata** — score 423/1000
   Two-time Player of the Year sold to Manchester United under Mourinho.
10. **Andreas Christensen** — score 310/1000
   Departed on a free to Barcelona and slotted straight into their starting XI.
11. **Romelu Lukaku** — score 310/1000
   Let go as a teenager, he became a prolific Premier League and Serie A striker.
12. **Antonio Rudiger** — score 310/1000
   Allowed to leave on a free for Real Madrid, where he became a defensive rock.
13. **Kevin De Bruyne** — score 172/1000
   Barely played before being sold in 2014, then became one of the world's best at Manchester City.

Tags: football, premier league, chelsea, transfers