There is nothing quite like seeing a striker wearing the number nine shirt banging goals in. On the ninth day of December, we revisit the careers of our very best…
The first player to captain Chelsea to the title, in 1954/55, Roy Bentley is our joint-fifth highest goalscorer.
He topped the scoring charts in each of his eight seasons at the club following his signing from Newcastle United for £11,000 in January 1948.
Bentley was outstanding in our Championship win, both in the way he led the team and found the net. He scored 21 times in total that season, notably a brace in a vital win at our closest challengers Wolves.
Peter Osgood 1964-1974, 1978/79 (380 appearances, 150 goals)
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Level with Bentley in our all-time scoring charts, Peter Osgood was the King of Stamford Bridge, the star among stars of the glamourous Chelsea side of the 1960s and 1970s.
As a striker, Ossie could score every type of goal, and he blended the physical robustness required in that era of football with an effortless grace and silky touch.
He scored in every round of the FA Cup in our maiden triumph in that competition in 1970 (the last player to achieve the feat), including _that_ diving header in the replay at Old Trafford. He also netted in each of our finals over the next two seasons, and Osgood’s legacy lives on with a statue outside the West Stand at the ground he made home.
Kerry Dixon 1983-1992 (420 appearances, 193 goals)
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Kerry Dixon scored goals for fun throughout the topsy-turvy 1980s, helping us win promotion from the Second Division twice and establish ourselves back in the top flight.
The striker scored 34 goals in his first season and 36 in his second, winning the Golden Boot and earning England recognition.
Dixon’s outstanding finishing and larger-than-life personality secured his status as one of the most beloved players in our history, and he remains a regular at the Bridge on matchday.
Gianluca Vialli 1996-2000 (88 appearances, 40 goals)
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The arrival of Champions League winner Luca Vialli in 1996 heralded a change of direction for an increasingly continental and exciting Chelsea squad.
Vialli’s work ethic rubbed off on his new team-mates, and his brace in the comeback FA Cup win over Liverpool set the club on the way to our first major trophy in 26 years.
His strength, hold-up play, and penchant for shooting early meant he was well suited to the rigours of English football, and he balanced becoming player-manager in 1998 with regularly still finding the net when he selected himself.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 2000-2004 (177 appearances, 87 goals)
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A club record signing when he arrived from Atletico Madrid in 2000, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink wasted no time endearing himself to the Blues faithful, finishing his first season as the Premier League’s top marksman.
Hasselbaink was a scorer of every type of goal, epitomised by the most wonderful perfect hat-trick he netted against Tottenham in March 2002, midway through a season in which he formed an iconic partnership with Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Even in his last season, the first under Roman Abramovich’s ownership and following the arrivals of Hernan Crespo and Adrian Mutu, Hasselbaink finished as our top goalscorer, including a hat-trick off the bench against Wolves.
Beth England 2016-2023 (163 appearances, 74 goals)
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After seven years of incredible service, Beth England departed Chelsea with her status as a club legend certainly confirmed. During her time with the Blues, time and time again, she showcased her prowess in front of goal.
One of her most memorable seasons came in 2018/19 when she scored 22 goals across all competitions and finished as our top scorer. That form continued the following season when she netted 21 times in our Double-winning campaign and finished as our top scorer once again.
Individual accolades followed as the forward was named Chelsea Women’s Player of the Year, Women’s Super League Player of the Season and PFA Players’ Player of the Year.
**_Six great no.9s, with one thing in common - goals!_**