Who is the best African player in Chelsea history?

Chelsea have featured some of Africa's finest football talent over the decades, from Premier League title winners to Champions League heroes, with players representing countries across the continent from Ivory Coast to Senegal, Egypt and beyond.

Didier Drogba

Ivory Coast striker who scored 164 goals in two spells, won four Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League with a crucial final equalizer.

1/14

Michael Essien

Ghana midfielder nicknamed The Bison, a two-time Premier League winner and Champions League winner who formed Chelsea's engine room across eight seasons.

2/14

John Obi Mikel

Nigeria's defensive midfielder who served Chelsea for 11 seasons, winning three Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League.

3/14

Salomon Kalou

Ivory Coast winger who made 254 appearances over eight seasons, including the iconic 2012 Champions League triumph, scoring 60 goals.

4/14

Edouard Mendy

Senegal goalkeeper who won the 2021 Champions League and was named FIFA Best Men's Goalkeeper of the Year for his commanding displays.

5/14

Hakim Ziyech

Morocco creative winger who joined in 2020 and won the 2021 Champions League, bringing flair and vision to Chelsea's attack.

6/14

Samuel Eto'o

Cameroon striker and four-time African Player of the Year who had a brief but impactful 2013-14 season at Stamford Bridge.

7/14

Victor Moses

Nigeria wing-back who reinvented himself under Antonio Conte and won the 2017 Premier League title as part of Chelsea's title-winning side.

8/14

Demba Ba

Senegal forward who scored crucial goals including a famous backheel assist in 2012 and delivered key contributions in 2012-14.

9/14

Geremi

Cameroon versatile midfielder who won two Premier League titles and other major honours across four seasons at Chelsea from 2003.

10/14

Celestine Babayaro

Nigeria left-back who served Chelsea reliably from 1997 to 2005, bringing defensive solidity from the continent's football.

11/14

Kalidou Koulibaly

Senegal defender and AFCON winner who brought commanding defending to Chelsea during his 2022-23 season at the club.

12/14

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Gabon striker who arrived on loan in January 2023 and scored crucial goals to help Chelsea's attacking output.

13/14

George Weah

Liberia legend and only African Ballon d'Or winner who had a brief 2000 spell at Chelsea towards the end of his playing career.

14/14