Verdict on Chelsea's most expensive signings under reign of Roman Abramovich

 
Tom Dutton1 July 2013

Roman Abramovich has presided over many big-name transfers during his decade at Chelsea. Standard Sport takes a look at how the Russian's most expensive purchases have fared ...

Best signing - Didier Drogba

from Marseille for £24m, June 2004

Chelsea had the last laugh after initially being criticised for paying so much for the Ivory Coast international.

He amassed 157 goals during eight years at the club but it was his tendency to shine on the big occasion which really made him a striker to be feared.

Drogba scored nine goals in as many cup finals, including the equaliser and decisive penalty in Chelsea’s Champions League success last year.

Worst signing - Andriy Shevchenko

from AC Milan for £30.8m, May 2006

Expensive strikers have not always worked out for Roman Abramovich and at £50million, Fernando Torres will still be considered by many as his most costly mistake.

However, before Torres there was Shevchenko and the 29-year-old Ukraine international arrived at Stamford Bridge a shadow of his former self with injuries and a lengthy career at the top having taken its toll.

Shevchenko left in 2009 having scored a mere 22 goals in a blue shirt.

Fernando Torres (Liverpool) £50m

Chelsea broke the British transfer fee to sign Liverpool striker Fernando Torres for £50million in January 2011. With such a hefty price tag, Torres was destined to be lumbered with a degree of pressure from the outset, as he fought to justify the expense.

Succumbing to that pressure, scoring just 15 goals in his first 30 months at the Bridge, Torres has failed to recapture the form that made him such a hit with the Anfield faithful. It will serve as consolation that despite such an underwhelming stint, the Spanish striker has consistently won silverware, both domestically and internationally.

Verdict: Miss

Eden Hazard (Lille) £35.2m

Eden Hazard proved the first fruit of Chelsea’s Champions League-winning labour when he proudly announced on his twitter page that the Blues had fought off stiff competition to lure him.

Despite showing early promise, Hazard went off the boil in the middle part of his first season at Stamford Bridge, culminating in an unsavoury incident in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup that saw him lash out at a ball boy.

Verdict: Hit

Michael Essien (Lyon) £24.4m

Michael Essien arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2005 and wasted no time settling into the spine of the Chelsea first-team. His name was among the first on the team sheet and memorable moments included his long-range strikes against Arsenal and Barcelona.

Eight years on the box-to-box midfielder is returning to Stamford Bridge after completing a season-long loan at Real Madrid. The 30-year-old is clinging on to his Chelsea career and, though many believe he is susceptible to injury and past his best, it is anticipated that Mourinho will utilise his experience in the midst of a rotation policy.

Verdict: Hit

Juan Mata (Valencia) £23m

Juan Mata said that Fernando Torres had helped persuade him to join Chelsea, citing the potential of a flourishing partnership between the pair. The 25-year-old was an instant hit in the Chelsea midfield, assisting the goal that took the 2012 Champions League final to extra-time and carved the way for Abramovich to secure the elusive trophy.

Mata’s importance to the Chelsea midfield was epitomised by the collective sigh of relief among the support when he recently revealed his intentions to stay put, amid rumours he was heading for the exit.

Verdict: Hit

Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City) £21m

After going against his word that he would not leave Manchester City, Shaun Wright-Phillips moved to Chelsea in 2005. His initial months were plagued by an inability to nail down a first-team spot and it took the winger over a year to score his first goal for the West London club.

Despite growing into his role and establishing a starting spot, Wright-Phillips’ greatest demon was the appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari, who told the winger he was free to leave the club.

Verdict: Miss

David Luiz (Benfica) £21m

David Luiz was accused of carrying his clown-like personality onto the pitch in the wake of his move from Benfica in 2011. It did, however, play into the Brazilian’s hands that he joined the Blues during the same transfer window as Torres, who was destined to play the part of villain in the eyes of supporters.

Luiz has flourished in West London and has been fashioned into a defensive midfielder. The 26-year-old is being touted by many as the favourite to succeed fan favourite John Terry as the next Chelsea skipper.

Verdict: Hit

Ricardo Carvalho (Porto) £19.85m

Ricardo Carvalho joined up with former manager Jose Mourinho when he signed for the Blues in 2004. The Portuguese defender won the Players Player of the year award in 2008.

After a very successful five years at the club Carvalho expressed his desire to follow Mourinho to Inter, but the episode passed without any movement. Carvalho eventually got his move in 2010, again teaming up with Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Verdict: Hit

Oscar (Internacional) £19.3m

Oscar signed at the beginning of the 2012/13 season and experienced an indifferent start to life at Stamford Bridge. He did not go straight into the starting 11 as many expected.

But the Brazilian prospered with experience and his progress was honoured with game time. He became a major player in a three-man advanced midfield which sat behind a sole striker in Fernando Torres or Demba Ba.

Verdict: Hit

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