After Chelsea won their fourth Premier League title in 10 years,
we asked the clubs former captain and assistant manager Ray
Wilkins to pick their best team from 2005 to the present...
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
He has obviously stood the test of time. He has been there for
the whole period and it is only because they have another
outstanding goalkeeper in [Thibaut] Courtois that Petr does not
play. But there will be lots of suitors after him when the season
finishes.
Right-back: Branislav Ivanovic
He has developed into an awesome right full-back. He came as
a centre-half, but he is so strong and he scores goals and is a
top-drawer defender. First and foremost you have to be able to
defend.
Centre-back: Ricardo Carvalho
When he turned up alongside John Terry, you had the
traditional strong English centre-half with the pace and the
football of Carvalho at centre-half, having just come off
winning the Champions League with Porto. He was a swift,
sweeper type of player, who could come out with the ball quite
comfortably and score goals as well.
Centre-back: John Terry (C)
Nothing more needs to be said.
Left-back: Ashley Cole
One of the finest England full-backs there has ever been, if not
the best full-back, although I think it is a big toss-up between
him and Kenny Sansom who was the best left-back.
Holding midfielder: Claude Makelele
Then the man who made the position his own the Makelele
holding-midfield role somebody that was outstanding in his
passing ability, but his value to the team was something
incredible, sat in front of the back two. He did not allow
anybody to move.
Michael Essien may have had a greater range of passing than
Makelele as a holding midfielder, but Claude was the governor
of all holding midfielders in the way that he performed. He just
had a sense of where to be at a given period of time. And,
believe it or not, he used to run 14km a game.
Midfielder: Frank Lampard
Goes without saying. Goals, goals, goals - 20 goals-plus a
season for the last 10 years.
Midfielder: Willian
I love Willian, I think he has been an absolute delight this year.
What he gives you is he transforms defence into attack in the
blink of an eye and hes gone. He is a super footballer and has
a magnificent work ethic and I think that is what Mourinho likes
in his players. If I had not selected him, I would have gone with
Michael Ballack instead, but I just think that Willian gives you a
little bit more creativity and flair going forward and goals.
Left-winger: Eden Hazard
You have Hazard on the left side. He has been magnificent this
year, an absolute dream to watch, week-in, week-out as you
know.
Right-winger: Arjen Robben
Robben on the other side with pace and power and probably
playing maybe his best football now with Bayern Munich rather
than then. But I just thought that I would put Robben in for that
pace down the right side.
Striker: Didier Drogba
There is only one Drog, there always has been and I do not
think there will ever be another one.
Do you agree with Ray's selection?.. if not wapi unafanya mabadiliko!?
#KTBFFH ..