The Blues have become one of England's most successful clubs thanks primarily to the many stars bought after Roman Abramovich's takeover in 2003
Getty ImagesGK: Petr Cech
A bargain buy from Rennes at just £7 million ($9m), Cech achieved immortal status among Chelsea fans by playing a pivotal role in the club's greatest ever triumph: the 2012 Champions League final win over Bayern Munich.
After saving one penalty from Arjen Robben in extra-time, the goalkeeper stopped another two spot-kicks in the shootout.
Alongside that historic success at the Allianz Arena, Cech won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and the Europa League during his spell at Stamford Bridge.
Cech finished his career at Arsenal but, such is his high standing at Chelsea, he returned to the club after retiring to become the Blues' technical and performance advisor.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Branislav Ivanovic
Branislav Ivanovic endured a slow start to his Chelsea career after arriving from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008, but once he got his chance, he never looked back.
The right-back would go onto win three Premier League titles and FA Cups, one League Cup and both the Champions League and Europa League.
After John Terry, Ivanovic is Chelsea's highest-scoring defender and was the match-winner in the 2013 Europa League final against Benfica.
Across 377 appearances, he went from outsider to a pivotal figure in the most successful era in Chelsea's history, as underlined by the fact that he still has a close relationship with Roman Abramovich.
IAN KINGTONCB: John Terry
As far as Chelsea fans are concerned, three words sum up John Terry: captain, leader, legend.
Arguably the club's greatest ever player, the central defender was lauded for both the quality of his play and his will to win.
A graduate of the club's academy, Terry was known as 'Mr. Chelsea' at Stamford Bridge as he was a constant in the starting line-up during the club's golden era.
He made 717 appearances after breaking through as a teenager and went on to lift five Premier League titles as captain, as well as a Champions League, five FA Cups, three League Cups and the Europa League.
Getty ImagesCB: Ricardo Carvalho
Ricardo Carvalho was part of the Roman revolution, arriving at Chelsea from Porto alongside Jose Mourinho, with the pair having just won a Champions League together.
The Portuguese central defender became John Terry's perfect partner, creating perhaps the meanest defensive duo in Premier League history.
Terry's commitment and leadership was wonderfully complemented by Carvalho's speed and mastery of the 'dark arts' of defending.
Carvalho won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two League Cups in his six years at the club and he helped the club claim a seat at the top table of European football.