Chelsea Team of the Decade: Lampard, Drogba and Hazard combine

Chelsea claimed a first Champions League title in 2012 and Petr Cech was pivotal to the Blues' greatest moment.

The Czech goalkeeper saved a penalty from Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben in normal time and then, after the game at the Allianz Arena had finished 1-1, he stopped another two spot-kicks in the shootout to help seal victory for Roberto Di Matteo's unfancied side.

This was Cech's finest moment in a Chelsea shirt but there were many more notable triumphs. Indeed, he won four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups and the Europa League during his time at Stamford Bridge.

He also still holds the Premier League record for the most clean sheets in a single season (24), which he achieved in 2004-05.

Branislav Ivanovic is one of the more underrated stars of the modern Chelsea era, with a number of key goals and performances underpinning his time in the capital.

A late winner against Napoli during the club's Champions League-winning run in 2012 was an early step on the road to greatness, while he was also the match-winner in the Europa League final against Benfica the following year.

The right-back spent nine years at the club and won nearly every major honour possible, including three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup, a Champions League and a Europa League.

He is not the most vocal character but he was an unassuming leader and just edges out Cesar Azpilicueta for the right-back berth.

Look up at the Matthew Harding end of Stamford Bridge and you will see the words: "JT Captain, leader, legend".

John Terry means as much to Chelsea fans as any player, a homegrown defender who went on to become the most successful footballer to wear the club's colours.

The academy product led the Blues to the Premier League title in 2005 – the Londoners' first championship for 50 years – and was voted Players' Player of the Year.

He would add another four titles to his collection, and lift the Champions League for the first time, in 2012, before leaving Stamford Bridge in 2017.

"He has won it all" sang Chelsea fans as Gary Cahill left Chelsea in the summer of 2019 following a glorious career at Stamford Bridge.

Not many expected much of the £7 million ($8.9m) signing from Bolton Wanderers but he was immediately thrust in the spotlight.

Cahill was pivotal to Chelsea's Champions League run in 2012, most notably putting in a fantastic performance in the first leg of the semi-final triumph over Barcelona.

He went down injured in the second leg, but he returned in time for the club's finest hour, in Munich.

Upon Terry's departure, Cahill became club captain and he gets the nod ahead of David Luiz for his fantastic leadership skills.

Many consider Ashley Cole to be the best left-back of the Premier League era, so it's no surprise to see him included here.

After arriving in controversial circumstances from London rivals Arsenal, the England international quickly became a fan favourite at the Bridge and went on to make 338 appearances for the Blues.

He also won eight major honours, including the Premier League (2010) and the Champions League (2012).

It is hard to find a better ball-winner in world football than N'Golo Kante, who must rank as one of the biggest bargains in Chelsea's history.

The Frenchman was the driving force behind Leicester City's shock title triumph and, after moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2016, the £32m ($40m) signing then propelled Chelsea to championship glory, winning the PFA Players' Player of the Year in the process.

He has also lifted the FA Cup and the Europa League since arriving in west London and, despite his aversion to the limelight, Kante is now rightly regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation.

Chelsea have never stopped chanting "Super Frankie Lampard" since their love affair with the goalscoring midfielder began in 2001. To some, he is the greatest player to ever represent Chelsea.

Despite playing his entire career in midfield, he is the club's all-time leading goalscorer, with many of his 211 strikes coming courtesy of his famously well-timed runs into the box.

The prolific Lampard won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, a Champions League and a Europa League with Chelsea, underlining just why he was greeted as a returning hero when he took over as manager this summer.

Juan Mata only spent two-and-a-half years at Chelsea but still managed to make a huge impact on the club before being sold to Manchester United after falling out of favour with Jose Mourinho.

The playmaker was the Blues' Player of the Season two years in a row and was also an immensely popular character with the fans because of the way in which he embraced the local culture.

However, it was his performances in Chelsea's remarkable Champions League triumph in 2012 which earned him legendary status at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard set up Didier Drogba for the late leveller in the final against Bayern Munich with a typically well-taken corner and he had the bravely to step for the first penalty in the subsequent shootout success.

Another fine bit of business by Chelsea, Willian joined from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013 for £30m ($38m) and recently made his 300th appearance for the Blues.

The Brazil international has had his ups and downs at Stamford Bridge but his skills and work-rate have always been appreciated by his coaches and his team-mates, who have twice voted him Players' Player of the Season (2015-16 and 2017-18).

What's more, Willian has won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and one Europa League during his time in west London.

Didier Drogba is the 'King of Stamford Bridge', with his crowning moment having come in Chelsea's Champions League triumph of 2012.

The Ivorian saved the Blues from defeat in the final against Bayern Munich with an 88th-minute header that forced extra-time before then stepping up to net the decisive penalty in the shootout.

That performance alone would be enough to defend his inclusion in our team but Drogba achieved so much more during his time in west London.

He won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups during one of the more decorated careers of the 21st century.

Eden Hazard is arguably the most talented player to have worn the Chelsea shirt this decade, as he brought back memories of Gianfranco Zola with his artistry on the pitch.

It is impossible not to be entertained watching Hazard dribble past opponents with ease but there was also an end product.

The Belgium international scored 110 goals in 352 matches for the Blues before leaving for Real Madrid during the summer.

He won everything except the Champions League at Stamford Bridge, including two Premier League titles, becoming one of world football's true superstars in the process.

Having shone in three different positions in defence over the decade, Cesar Azpilicueta can feel a little hard done by not to make this XI, though his versatility probably worked against him.

David Luiz was also key to a number of Chelsea's successes during the past 10 years, winning every major trophy apart from the League Cup during his two spells in west London.

Further forward, Cesc Fabregas enjoyed a renaissance following his arrival from Barcelona, winning two Premier League titles at the heart of the club's midfield.

Diego Costa may also have made the team had it not been for Drogba. As it was, the Spain international's goalscoring prowess alone was not enough for him to usurp the Ivorian legend.

So, there you have it, our Chelsea Team of the Decade!

But what do you make of our selections? Are there any glaring omissions, in your opinion?

Post your thoughts – and your own line-ups – in the comments section...