Premiership

5 incredible footballers who have played for both Barcelona and Chelsea

Chelsea v Manchester United - The Emirates FA Cup Final
Chelsea v Manchester United – The Emirates FA Cup Final

Chelsea and Barcelona are two of the most followed and most successful football clubs in European football. Founded in 1905, the Blues have won the league title on six occasions and the UEFA Champions League once. They are the 2016/17 Premier League Champions and possesses a great squad at the moment.

On the other hand, founded in 1899, the Catalan giants have dominated both La Liga and European football during various seasons in the past. They have won 25 La Liga and five UEFA Champions League titles in their illustrious history. Barcelona are the 2017/18 La Liga Champions and has one of the strongest squad in European football right now.

Barcelona and Chelsea have a history of players switching allegiance between them. Though some are not direct transfers involving these two clubs, until now, 13 footballers have played for both Barcelona and Chelsea. Players like Ricardo Quaresma, Oriol Romeu, Boudewijn Zenden, Emmanuel Petit, and Mark Hughes have played at both Stamford Bridge and Camp Nou. 

On that note, let’s take a look at the 5 incredible footballers who have played for both Barcelona and Chelsea.


#5 Samuel Eto’o

Barcelona v Chelsea - UEFA Champions League Semi Final
Barcelona v Chelsea – UEFA Champions League Semi-Final

The former Cameroonian international was one of the most prolific strikers to have played the game this century. Samuel Eto’o is the most decorated African player of all-time. The 37-year-old has won the African Player of the Year award on four occasions – 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010, most by any African footballers.

Eto’o joined Barcelona from Mallorca in 2004. He went on to win three La Liga and two UEFA Champions League titles with the Catalan giants. Eto’o has scored 130 goals in 199 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona. With 26 La Liga goals during the 2005/06 season, the Cameroon international won the Pichichi Trophy for most goals scored in a La Liga season.

Eto’o moved to Inter Milan in 2009 and ended up at Chelsea in 2013. He played just one season at the Stamford Bridge under Jose Mourinho and scored nine Premier League goals for Chelsea. He then moved to Everton in 2014.

#4 Deco

Barcelona v Valencia - La Liga
Barcelona v Valencia – La Liga

The former Portugal international was a key member of the Catalan side that lifted two La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League title between 2004 and 2008. A versatile midfielder, Deco was at his best during the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons for Barcelona. One of the best creative midfielders to have graced La Liga, Deco scored 22 goals in all competitions at the Camp Nou. 

Chelsea signed Deco from Barcelona in 2008. Deco spent two seasons at the Stamford Bridge and was sold to Fluminense in 2010. Deco scored six goals in his Chelsea career and also lifted the Premier League title in 2010. Deco is one of those rare footballers who have won the UEFA Champions League title with two different clubs, Porto and Barcelona.

#3 Eidur Gudjohnsen

West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea
West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea

Gudjohnsen has spent six years at Chelsea and was one of their key players during their title-winning 2004/05 Premier League season. The Iceland international has played 186 Premier League games for Chelsea and scored 54 goals. He has won back to back Premier League titles with Chelsea and was their star striker between 2000 and 2006.

Barcelona signed Gudjohnsen from Chelsea in 2006 to replace Henrik Larsson. He went on to play three seasons at the Camp Nou and scored 10 goals in 72 La Liga appearances. He was a part of the Barcelona side that lifted La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League title during the 2008/09 season.

#2 Pedro

Chelsea FC v Cardiff City - Premier League
Chelsea FC v Cardiff City – Premier League

The former Barcelona star is currently a Chelsea player. A product of Barcelona’s famous youth system, La Masia, Pedro spent eight years as a Barcelona first team player. Pedro has represented Barcelona in 321 games and scored 99 goals. Pedro has won five La Liga, three UEFA Champions League, and many other titles during his stay at the Camp Nou.

Pedro moved to Chelsea in 2015 after spending most of his later part of Barcelona career under the shadow of Lionel Messi and Neymar. The Spaniard has so far played 138 games in all competitions for Chelsea and scored 31 times. The 31-year-old has played a stellar role in Chelsea’s title-winning 2016/17 Premier League campaign. Primarily a winger, Pedro was an integral part of the Spain national team that lifted the FIFA World Cup title in 2010.

#1 Cesc Fabregas

Chelsea FC v Perth Glory
Chelsea FC v Perth Glory

The Spaniard takes the No.1 spot on the list because of his sheer quality and the impact he created at both the clubs. A product of La Masia, Cesc Fàbregas moved to the Premier League with Arsenal when he was only a teenager. He had a hugely successful career at Arsenal where he played 212 Premier League games. 

He made his move to Barcelona in 2011 and went on to play 151 games for the Catalan side. He stayed at the club for three years and helped them to a La Liga title during the 2012/13 campaign. He then moved back to the Premier League in 2014, but this time with Chelsea.

The 31-year-old has played 184 games for Chelsea in all competitions so far. Cesc Fàbregas led Chelsea to two Premier League titles during the 2014/15 and 2016/17 Premier League campaigns.

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