Chelsea’s best signings from teams outside the top six

• Chelsea have been making big signings every transfer market since Roman Abramovich bought the club. 
• The Blues have signed several big players from the top six teams in the English Premier League. They have also signed highly-rated players from other teams in the league. 
• Some of the players who joined Chelsea from teams outside the top six played crucial roles as the team won trophies. 

Chelsea is one of the big six teams in the English Premier League. The Blues have been a dominant team in the transfer market since Roman Abramovich took over as the club’s owner. 

Chelsea have been signing some of the top players in Europe every transfer window. This summer has not been an exception as they have brought in Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella. The Blues are still in the market as they need to increase the depth of their squad this season. 

Chelsea have made notable signings from their rivals in the English Premier League. Apart from signing players from the big six, they have also signed several highly-rated players from other teams in the league. 

This article will focus on the best players Chelsea have signed from teams outside the big six in recent years. Apart from Chelsea, the other teams in the big six are Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United. 

1. Gary Cahill

Gary Cahill was a top defender during his time with Chelsea. The England international formed a strong partnership in Chelsea’s defence with the likes of John Terry and David Luiz. 

Gary Cahill is among Chelsea’s best signings from clubs outside the top six in recent years. Cahill joined the Blues from Bolton Wanderers in January 2012 for seven million euros. 

Cahill served as the team’s vice-captain for some time. He eventually became the club’s captain in 2017 when John Terry left. 

During his time with the London club, Cahill won two Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League, among other trophies. The centre-back left Chelsea in 2019 and joined Crystal Palace.

Gary Cahill won two Premier League titles with Chelsea. Photo/ Twitter.

2. N’Golo Kante

N’Golo Kante is one of the best defensive midfielders the world has ever seen. The Frenchman is one of Chelsea’s most successful signings in recent years. 

Kante joined the Blues in the summer of 2016 from Leicester City for 32 million euros. He was part of the Leicester squad that won the 2015-16 Premier League title.

Kante has been a key player for Chelsea since his first season when he won the Premier League title with the club. The midfielder has won five major trophies with the Blues, including the UEFA Champions League title. As of now, Kante has made 262 appearances and scored 13 goals while assisting 15. 

3. Victor Moses

Victor Moses is one of the forgotten names at Stamford Bridge. However, the Nigerian international is one of the best signings Chelsea have made from teams outside the big six in recent years. 

Chelsea signed Victor Moses from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2012 for around nine million euros. Despite joining while Roberto Di Matteo was the manager, Moses’ best time with the Blues was during Antonio Conte’s era. 

Conte converted into a wing-back and was an integral squad member as they won the 2016-17 Premier League title. Moses joined Spartak Moscow for four million euros after spending nine seasons with Chelsea.

Victor Moses. Photo/ OJB Sports.

Besides the 2016-17 Premier League title, Victor Moses also won two UEFA Europa League and FA Cup with the Blues. 

4. Ben Chilwell

Ben Chilwell was regarded as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League during his time at Leicester City. The Blues paid around 50 million euros in 2020 to land Chilwell at Stamford Bridge. 

The England international immediately became the club’s first-choice left-back in his debut season. Chilwell has made 56 appearances for Chelsea since the 2020-21 season. He has scored seven goals and assisted nine. 

Ben Chilwell has helped Chelsea win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. 

5. Demba Ba 

Demba Ba is one notable player Chelsea signed from teams outside the top six in the Premier League. The Senegalese international joined Chelsea from Newcastle United in January 2013 for around seven million euros.

Demba Ba joined Chelsea from Newcastle. Photo/ Eurosport.

During his time at Newcastle United, Demba Ba was one of the top-rated strikers in the Premier League. After joining Chelsea, Ba had a perfect start scoring three goals in two matches. 

The former West Ham man left Chelsea in the summer of 2014. Demba Ba is currently a football manager.