By Sulaimon Jamiu
Considered one of the most successful clubs in English football, Chelsea FC boasts of several titles and laurels. Getting to play for a top Premier League team like the Blues is, no doubt, the dream of many footballers.
Interestingly, Chelsea FC has, over time, had players of Nigerian descent ply their trade with them. Below is a list of ten Nigerian players that have played for Chelsea.
1. John Obi Mikel
Without a question, John Mikel Obi is the most successful Nigerian to play at Stamford Bridge.
After a transfer triangle involving his former club Lyn, Manchester United, and Chelsea, it was confirmed in June 2006 that the ex-Super Eagles captain had signed for Chelsea.
Mikel was also a serial winner with Blues, winning all the trophies at club level with them. He spent an incredible 11 years at Stamford Bridge, where he won every trophy at club level – including the Premier League.
2. Celestine Babayaro
Dubbed “the African Roberto Carlos”, Chelsea signed the Super Eagles legend for a club record fee of £2.25 million in April 1997.
During his seven-year stay at the Stamford Bridge, he made over 200 appearances, and won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, and Charity Shield.
Celestine Babayaro is one of the successful Nigerians to play for Chelsea.
3. Kenneth Josiah Omeruo
In January 2012, the center defender joined Chelsea from Standard Liege in Belgium. Following his move to the Blues, he was promptly loaned out. He joined Spanish club CF Leganes in 2019, concluding a seven-year stint with the Blues.
Omeruo is also one of the London club’s longest-serving Nigerian players.
4. Victor Moses
In August 2020, Chelsea signed the veteran winger from Wigan. He made 87 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, having spent time on loan before returning to the Bridge to help the club win the Premier League and FA Cup under then-coach Antonio Conte.
During his stint with the Blues, he won the Premier League, two FA Cups, and two Europa League medals.
5. Kevin Tamaraebi Abraham
Abraham began his career as a Chelsea youth product, making his first-team debut in 2016 before spending a season on loan with Championship club Bristol City.
He has since spent more time on loan than at the club. In 82 games during his long tenure at Stamford Bridge, he has scored 30 goals. However, he currently plays for A.S. Roma, an Italian powerhouse.
6. Ola Aina
Under then-coach Jose Mourinho, the 25-year-old Super Eagles player played for Chelsea at the U-11, U-18, U-19, and U-21 levels, as well as the first team.
Due to a lack of first-team opportunities, the winger eventually departed the London club to join Torino in Serie A.
7. Fikayo Damilola Tomori
The Chelsea academy graduate and centre defender/wing back has represented both Canada and England at junior level.
Due to a lack of playing time at Stamford Bridge, he was sold to A.C Milan. In his debut season at San Siro, he won the Scudetto with “The Rossoneri.”
8. Ross Barkley
The attacking midfielder was born in Liverpool, Merseyside, on December 5, 1993, and is of Nigerian descent. However, instead of bearing his father’s name, he bears his mother’s maiden name.
Ross joined Chelsea on the 5th of January 2018 for a cost of €15 million, and he donned the club’s official number 8. It’s the same number as the one he wore at Everton.
9. Faustino Rasheed Anjorin
The 20-year-old was born to a Nigerian father and he is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Chelsea Football Club and on occasion, as a right-wing forward.
He began his Chelsea career at the age of seven, and he formally signed with the club at the age of nine. In the 2017/2018 FA Youth Cup, Anjorin was one of the goal scorers in Chelsea’s second-leg victory over Arsenal.
10. Ike Dominque Ugbo
On September 21, 1998, he was born in Lewisham, Greater London. He is of Nigerian descent and began his football career at Chelsea Football Club.
He began his professional football career in 2015 and has since been loaned out to various Championship clubs. In August 2017, he was sent on a season-long loan to Barnsley, where he made his senior debut. On the international level, he plays for the Canadian national team.
