Jersey numbers are an important part of football, icons have blazed their trails all while adorned by a familiar number on their back. Similarly, some players have besmirched a number, leading to the narrative of a number nine curse among some fans. For some clubs steeped in history, they won’t have had just one notable player wearing a particular number, which is why in this, we’ll be looking at the best Chelsea players to ever wear the number 5 jersey.
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Best Chelsea Players to Wear the Number 5 Jersey – All Time
Ron Harris
Another appearance in this series for ‘Chopper’. The defender switched numbers a lot which has seen him featured for a few different squad numbers already. Not to reiterate the same details too much but the steely defender is remembered as a fearsome leader for his time in blue.
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He was with the club through ups and downs throughout his tenure, experiencing the joys of promotion and the horrors of relegation while also being part of the squad that won the European Cup Winners’ Cup. He left Chelsea after totalling 795 appearances across all competitions.
David Webb
David Webb spent six years with the Blues and had some iconic moments during his time there. Although he primarily played at right-back, he could move into the middle of the defence and did so capably on route to cup wins. He made just shy of 300 appearances for the Londoners.
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Webb was not only part of the FA Cup winning team in 1970, but it was he who scored the winning goal in extra time to secure the win. He was also in the team that captured the Cup Winners’ Cup alongside Ron Harris.
Steve Clarke
Steve Clarke spent a decade in blue during their rise to prominence in the 90s. He just missed the explosion in the 2000’s but not before staking his claim as one of the best defenders the team has ever had. The Scottish international was signed from St. Mirren and then retired as a Blue.
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He racked up an impressive 405 appearances across all competitions and was even named as Chelsea player of the year in 1994. He won the FA Cup in 1997 and then the League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998 before being named in the Centenary XI in 2005.
Frank LeBoeuf
At one point in time, it would’ve been ludicrous for a World Cup winner to play for the Blues but in the late 90s into 2001, that’s exactly what they had. Nothing epitomised the club’s rise before Roman Abramovich than LeBoeuf leading them to multiple trophies will starring for his World Cup/Euros-winning national team.
The centre-back made over 200 appearances for the English side and helped them through a period of success where they won the FA Cup twice, the League Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Cup Winners’ Cup.
Michael Essien
The Ghana international was a train in the midfield who endured a number of managerial changes but largely retained the trust and respect of each one. He totalled 256 appearances for the Blues in his time there in a variety of different setups and roles.
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He was part of the post-Abramovich climb to glory and won the Premier League twice, the UEFA Champions League, multiple FA Cups and was even named Chelsea player of the year in 2007