Jersey numbers are an important part of football, icons have blazed their trails all while adorned by a familiar number on their back. R9 rolls off the tongue far better than R44 after all. 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 3 jersey.
Read More:Best Chelsea Players to Wear the Number 2 Jersey Ever
Best Chelsea Players to Wear the Number 3 Jersey – All Time
Ron Harris
Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris was already discussed as he jumped between different jersey numbers and was profiled in our look at the best players to wear the number two for the Blues.
Read More:Best Chelsea Players to Wear the Number 1 Jersey Ever
To sum up, the brick wall of a defender had versatility, grit, and leadership across a lengthy spell in London that saw him win a number of trophies and make 724 appearances for the team.
Graham Wilkins
Graham Wilkins was an academy product who came up through Chelsea’s system and became a reliable full-back for them from 1972 until 1984. He could play on either flank with ease but never won any titles during his time with the side.
Read More:Top 5 Chelsea Goalkeepers of All Time
He ended his time with the Blues with over 150 appearances to his name across all competitions. He unfortunately dropped down the footballing pyramid for the last years of an injury-hit career but managed to write his name as a Cobham success story first.
Graeme Le Saux
Across two stints with Chelsea, Graeme Le Saux solidified a spot as one of the best left-backs in club history. He is remembered as a part of the squad that kick-started the team’s rise in the late 90s and early 00s before Roman Abramovich came along. Even without the rich owner funding them, Le Saux and his teammates won the FA Cup, League Cup, and Cup Winners’ Cup.
Read More:Enzo Maresca vs Mauricio Pochettino: Debut Season at Chelsea By The Numbers
The full-back ended his time with the team in 2003 boasting an impressive 304 appearances and 46 goal contributions between his two stints in blue. For his part in helping the franchise rise to glory, he will always be remembered as one of the greats.
Ashley Cole
His defection from Arsenal may have made shockwaves but it ultimately paid off for Ashley Cole who kept a firm grip on the number 3 jersey for seven years. His controversial move from the red side of London to blue was ultimately proven right as he went on to win the Champions League, Europa League, League Cup, four FA Cups, and the Premier League.
Cole ended his time in blue with 337 appearances, 40 goal contributions, and a memorable stint as one of the best left-backs the team has ever had.
Marc Cucurella
Potentially a controversial pick but Marc Cucurella has more than earned his spot here. Over the past year and a half, one could easily argue that he’s been one of the best left-backs in world football. He scored a number of key goals to help a rebuilding Chelsea team get back up the table and has done so while playing an all-action position.
When he inverts into attack, he is incredibly useful but he’s also put in defensive masterclasses against the likes of Bukayo Saka. His 17 goal contributions in 107 appearances is sure to increase under Enzo Maresca as the Spaniard continues to get the freedom to crash the box and cause chaos.