Chelsea fans have been enjoying the international break more than most, safe in the knowledge their side look set to claim their fourth Premier League title in a matter of weeks.
Jose Mourinho’s side maintained their five point lead at the top of the table with a nervy 2-3 victory at Hull City last time out, and the Blues also have a game in hand over nearest rivals Manchester City.
It would be a major shock to see Mourinho’s men throw it away at this stage of the season, especially when you consider they have been top of the Premier League since their opening weekend victory over Burnley in August.
Whilst Chelsea have been excellent at times this term, a lot of people point to the fact they have simply been the best of a bad bunch, with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool all struggling badly at various points of the season.
Should Chelsea go on to win the title as expected, where would it rank alongside their other achievements under Mourinho? Here we have identified the best Chelsea side of the 21st century – how many of the current crop make the cut?
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Click on Jose Mourinho to reveal the best Chelsea XI of the 21st century
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Petr Cech
He may have lost his first team place this season, and seen a lot of hype centre around the performances of Thibaut Courtois, but Petr Cech has still been the best Premier League goalkeeper of the last 10 years, and perhaps in the whole of Europe.
The 32-year-old has won all there is to win on a domestic level during his time with the Blues, and has hardly put a foot wrong along the way.
His penalty save during extra time of the 2012 Champions League final win over Bayern Munich was a moment that typified his importance to the Blues since arriving in 2004.
Branislav Ivanovic
The Serb has been an inspired signing at Stamford Bridge, and won a place in the hearts of Chelsea fans almost immediately, with two vital goals at Anfield in a Champions League quarter final in 2009.
Ivanovic has made a habit of scoring important goals, and has once again be a key player for Mourinho and the Blues this term during their march towards the title.
A winning goal in the Europa League final of 2013, and a semi final winner against Liverpool in the League Cup semi final this term have been other key contributions that have stood out, whilst his defensive display in the Nou Camp where he would go on to miss the final through suspension was another heroic moment.
John Terry
Perhaps the best English defender of a generation, John Terry has been the symbol of Chelsea under Roman Abramovich.
An ever present practically since the Russian billionaire took over in the summer of 2003, the Chelsea captain has achieved a dream by captaining his side to success in every competition.
At the age of 34 he has once again been the standout defender in the Premier League this season, and looks set to lead his side to a fourth title success – and hope for a fifth next season having just signed a new one year contract.
William Gallas
The Frenchman soured his relationship with Chelsea supporters with the manner in which he left the club, as well as going on to play for north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham.
But during Mourinho’s first two seasons in England was the time in which Chelsea produced perhaps their best side of the 21st century, and Gallas was a key player during that period, often excelling at centre back or as a makeshift left back.
His stunning winner against Tottenham in 2006 is also a special memory for Chelsea supporters, as that win over their bitter rivals was a moment in which is looked all but confirmed the Blues would be claiming back to back Premier League titles.
Ashley Cole
Unpopular everywhere else, Cole has a special place in the hearts of Chelsea fans after joining the club from Arsenal in the summer of 2006.
Cole would go on to win the Premier League title under Carlo Ancelotti, three FA Cups, the Europa League, and was also a key member of the squad that enjoyed long awaited Champions League success in 2012.
Cole established himself as perhaps the best left back in world football during his time at Stamford Bridge, and plenty of fans were disappointed to see him leave the club at the age of 33 last summer.
Claude Makelele
The Frenchman was so effective during his career, he has even had a position named after him.
One of the first signings of the Abramovich era, Real Madrid made a transfer howler in allowing him to switch to London in the summer of 2003.
The Spaniard’s loss proved Chelsea’s gain, as Makelele went on to play an absolutely key role in the back to back title successes under Mourinho in 2005 and 2006, and establishing himself as the best defensive midfielder in world football in the process.
Michael Ballack
Chelsea pipped the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus to the signing of the German international in the summer of 2006 – a mark of just what a top class player they were getting.
In four seasons at Stamford Bridge, Ballack claimed three FA Cups, a League Cup and Premier League title winners medal under Carlo Ancelotti, proving a key man in the season which saw Chelsea perhaps play their most exciting football of the Abramovich era.
He was also one kick away from becoming a Champions League winner with the Blues in 2008, during a season in which Ballack proved a real midfield leader following the sacking of Mourinho and the subsequent appointment of Avram Grant.
The German played under a number of different manager during his Chelsea career, but proved a commanding and classy member of each side.
Frank Lampard
There is not much you can say about Frank Lampard that has not already been said.
Chelsea’s all time record goalscorer, vice captain, world class midfielder – perhaps the best the country has produced – as well as being a top class bloke.
Lampard has been the other symbol of Chelsea’s success in the 21st century, with his finest moment perhaps coming in 2012 when he captained the side to Champions League glory in Munich.
A moment that signalled just how Lampard will be remembered by Chelsea fans came back in September, when the now Manchester City man scored against Mourinho’s side, and yet was applauded off at the final whistle by the travelling fans – a statement that showed just what a legend he will always be at Stamford Bridge.
Arjen Robben
The Dutchman pips the likes of Joe Cole and Damien Duff to one of the wide spots in a 4-3-3 position, based on the impact he had following his arrival in the summer of 2004.
There was huge excitement amongst Chelsea fans whenever Robben would step onto the pitch in Blue, and terror amongst opposition.
His pace, trickery and crucially final product, saw him become one of the most feared attackers in the country as Chelsea won back to back titles in 2005 and 2006.
The player he has gone on to become at Bayern Munich shows just how fortunate Chelsea were to have such a world class talent on their books, although injury problems would prevent him from becoming an all time Blues great.
Eden Hazard
The Belgian looks set to end this season as a Premier League champion, having been perhaps been the Blues best player of the past three years.
He has Europa League and League Cup winners medals to his name so far, but the exciting thing for Chelsea fans is that there is so much more to come from Hazard.
Still just 23, there is belief amongst Chelsea supporters – and crucially Jose Mourinho – that the former Lille man can go on to become one of the best players in world football, with those years looking set to happen in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Didier Drogba
Perhaps the best striker in Chelsea history, and always the man for the big occasion.
At his peak, Didier Drogba was simply unplayable – just ask any Arsenal fan.
Nobody played a bigger part in their Champions League success in 2012, with the Ivorian firing that crucial late equaliser and winning penalty.
Drogba made a habit of scoring important goals in finals, with winners against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool in various domestic finals in his time at Chelsea.
Having returned in the summer, Drogba looks set to bow out with a fourth title winners medal at the end of the season.
