Sports

Chelsea sold XI from 2014: The ex-Blues stars who have become grade A players

Published

9 years ago

October 26, 2017

The Chelsea have a history of letting future stars of the game leave a little too early.

Eddie Nketiah is the latest former Chelsea star to dominate the back pages for his heroics in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Norwich in the Carabao Cup.

But the youngster is just one of a number of ex-Blues stars who have been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, only to go on and suggest otherwise at another club.

Of course, it’s important not to get ahead of ourselves. While Nketiah had the game of his life for the Gunners on Tuesday, he is still only 18 and has some way to go before he is a regular at the Emirates.

That said, there are a number of former Blues stars who the club would love to have on their books now, so for a bit of fun, here is a Chelsea sold XI from 2014.

FW: Romelu Lukaku

Signed for/when: £20million in 2011

Sold for/when: £28million in 2014

Man United paid £75million for Romelu Lukaku at the start of the season (Image: Stanley Chou/Getty)

Since leaving Chelsea for Everton the 24-year-old forward has proven himself a prolific Premier League goalscorer, and just missed out on the Golden Boot to Harry Kane last season.

Manchester United shelled out £75million to sign the Belgian striker at the start of this campaign, and so far he’s bagged seven times for the Red Devils.

The Blues had attempted to sign him back ahead of his move to Old Trafford, but Lukaku snubbed Chelsea to link up with Jose Mourinho instead.

FW: Juan Mata

Signed for/when: £23.5million in 2011

Sold for/when: £37million in 2014

Juan Mata of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the winning goal — Juan Mata won Chelsea’s Player of the Year award in 2013 (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty)

A fans’ favourite while at Stamford Bridge, Mata won the Chelsea Player of the Year award in 2013.

But he fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho, who eventually sold him to title rivals Manchester United.

Today Mata plays under the Portuguese at Old Trafford.

FW: Mohamed Salah

Signed for/when: £11million in 2014

Sold for/when: £13million in 2016

Mohamed Salah joined Liverpool from Roma at the start of the season (Image: Martin Stoever)

All eyes were on Salah when he moved to Chelsea in 2014, coming with the nickname ‘the Egyptian Messi’, but it never happened for him.

Salah was eventually sent out on loan to Fiorentina and then Roma, before signing with the latter on a permanent deal.

Jurgen Klopp splashed out £34million to bring the forward to Liverpool at the start of this season, and so far he’s netted five times.

MID: Kevin De Bruyne

Signed for/when: £6.7million in 2012

Sold for/when: £18million in 2014

Kevin De Bruyne is today one of the best players in the Premier League (Image: Getty Images)

The one name that causes every Chelsea fan to flinch.

The Blues signed the Belgian for a lowly £6.7million back in 2012 but were seemingly unprepared to allow him the time to develop.

He was shipped out to the Bundesliga where he caught the eye before moving back to the Premier League with Manchester City in a deal worth £55million.

Today he’s arguably the best player in the English top flight.

MID: Nemanja Matic

Signed for/when: £21million in 2014

Sold for/when: £40million in 2017

Nemanja Matic of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal — Nemanja Matic left Chelsea for Man United in 2017 (Image: Getty)

A leggy and awkward midfielder who played a big part in Chelsea’s Premier League title win last season was shipped out to Man United at the start of the season.

Eyebrows were raised over Antonio Conte’s decision, especially when it became clear the positive impact he has had at Old Trafford.

The Blues replaced Matic with French youngster Tiemoue Bakayoko.

MID: Ramires

Signed for/when: £17million in 2010

Sold for/when: £25million in 2016

Ramires celebrates after scoring the first goal for Chelsea — Ramires signed for Chelsea back in 2010 (Image: Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley)

The Brazilian enjoyed six successful seasons at Chelsea, winning the Champions League, Players’ Player of the Year and Goal of the Year during this time.

With his career at Stamford Bridge winding down, he switched to the Chinese Super League, where he today plays under Fabio Capello.

The move was a good one for all parties involved, with Chelsea recouping good money for the tenacious midfielder.

DEF: Filipe Luis

Signed for/when: £16million in 2014

Sold for/when: £16million in 2015

Vitesse Arnhem v Chelsea — Filipe Luis spent one season with the Blues (Image: Action Images)

Jose Mourinho splashed out on the left-back during his second spell in charge of Chelsea in 2014, but Luis struggled for game time at Stamford Bridge.

He was mooted as a replacement for Ashley Cole, and even took his number 3 shirt, but couldn’t get in the team over Cesar Azpilicueta.

After one season in London the Brazilian moved back to Atletico Madrid and Chelsea recouped all the cash they’d spent on him.

DEF: Nathan Ake

Signed for/when: £300,000 in 2011

Sold for/when: £20million in 2017

Nathan Ake signed for Bournemouth at the start of the season (Image: Scott Heavey)

Chelsea poached the youngster from Feyenoord in 2007 for a £300,000 compensation fee and helped him develop at Cobham.

From 2015 to 2017 he spent his time out on loan at Reading, Watford and Bournemouth, where he really started to impress.

So much so that Conte recalled him from his loan spell on the south coast last season, with plans to start him in the first team.

But it wasn’t to be for the Dutchman, and Bournemouth came back with £20million to sign him on a permanent deal.

DEF: John Terry

Signed for/when: Academy graduate in 1998

Sold for/when: Free transfer in 2017

John Terry enjoyed his best years at Stamford Bridge (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Chelsea certainly got the best out of Terry. Unlike the above forwards who were been signed and sold on flippantly, the Blues have been a little more careful with defenders.

David Luiz is one example of a player in this position who left a little too prematurely, but Chelsea rectified their error by buying him back.

Anyway, back to Terry. The former England captain won it all with the Stamford Bridge club, but saw his game time reduced last season.

He transferred to Aston Villa at the start of this campaign, where he is performing well in the Championship, despite his declining years.

DEF: Branislav Ivanovic

Signed for/when: £9million in 2008

Sold for/when: Free transfer in 2017

Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic celebrates scoring their second goal — Branislav Ivanovic left the club at the start of the season (Image: Getty)

Another player who enjoyed his best years at Chelsea, but another player who still has a lot to offer the game.

After a quiet first year Ivanovic burst onto the scene in 2009, bagging two headed goals in a Champions League quarter final against Liverpool.

From there he became a regular Blues right-back, continually performing well in defence and grabbing goals when necessary.

He left the club at the start of the season for Zenit St Petersburg after losing his place in the team to the more industrious Victor Moses.

GK: Petr Cech

Signed for/when: £7million in 2004

Sold for/when: £10million in 2015

Petr Cech joined Chelsea in 2004 (Image: Action Images / Alan Walter)

And finally, one last player who enjoyed his best years at Chelsea.

Cech was sold to Arsenal for £10million in 2015, as Thibaut Courtois took the baton from the Blues legend.

Eyebrows were raised in the same way they were when Matic moved to Manchester United, but Courtois has proven himself a brilliant replacement.

Sports

‎Oseni Mobilises Supporters with Free Tickets for Shooting Stars’ Victory ‎

Published

7 days ago

August 29, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan on their 2-1 victory over newly promoted Inter Lagos in the opening fixture of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
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‎The Oluyole Warriors began their campaign on a winning note at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Friday, securing three points in front of their home supporters.
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‎Ahead of the encounter, the lawmaker mobilised hundreds of supporters to the stadium and provided free tickets for fans to enable them to watch and cheer the Ibadan-based club.
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‎The mobilisation, led by members of his youth wing, contributed to the strong home support for Shooting Stars as the team battled the Lagos-based newcomers in an entertaining opening-day encounter.
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‎In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, who represents, Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said he was delighted with the victory and commended the players, coaches, management and supporters of the club for starting the new season on a positive note.
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The statement added that the gesture was a reflection of Oseni’s passion for sports and his belief that sustained support from the fans could inspire the team to greater achievements during the season.
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“ Oseni is a lover of sports and passionate about Shooting Stars. This is one of the ways, among others, that we can support the team and encourage them in their quest for victory,” the statement stressed.
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It further explained that the free tickets were provided to encourage more supporters to fill the stands and give the players the backing they needed, particularly in their first home game of the season.
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According to the statement, Oseni believes that sports provide an important platform for youth engagement, development and community pride, stressing that Shooting Stars remains a club with a strong place in the identity of Ibadan and Oyo State.
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‎On the pitch, Lucky Emmanuel put Shooting Stars ahead in the 15th minute before Inter Lagos equalised through Uchenna Njoku. Sodiq Ibrahim restored the home side’s lead from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, with the score remaining 2-1 until the final whistle.
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‎The APC chieftain urged the Oluyole Warriors to build on the victory and maintain their winning mentality throughout the season, assuring the team of his continued support and encouragement.

Sports

Oyo APC Demands Probe of N5.5bn Lekan Salami Stadium Renovation

Published

3 weeks ago

August 18, 2026

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The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-graft agencies to investigate the N5.5bn reportedly spent on the renovation of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

The party made the call following the reported rejection of the stadium by the Confederation of African Football as a venue for Shooting Stars Sports Club’s continental campaign.

Shooting Stars secured qualification for continental football after about 28 years but will reportedly play its home matches in Abeokuta after the Ibadan stadium failed to meet CAF’s requirements.

In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the development as disappointing and embarrassing to the state.

The party alleged that the CAF decision had raised questions about the quality of work carried out at the stadium and the funds reportedly committed to its renovation.

Sadare said the state government should explain why a facility said to have gulped N5.5bn could not secure approval to host a continental competition.

He said, “Everyone in the state should ask Governor Makinde to explain the circumstances surrounding the stadium’s failure to secure approval for the CAF Confederation Cup and provide details of the funds committed to its renovation and upgrading.”

The APC also criticised what it described as the alleged delivery of substandard projects by the Makinde administration, citing the recent erosion that reportedly damaged part of a road project in Bodija shortly after its commissioning.

The party said the stadium’s failure to host Shooting Stars’ continental fixtures was particularly unfortunate because the club’s return to African competition after nearly three decades should have provided Oyo State with an opportunity to showcase its sporting infrastructure to a wider African audience.

The APC therefore urged the EFCC and other relevant anti-graft agencies to investigate the award and execution of the stadium project, establish how the funds were spent and make anyone found culpable to face the law.

It also called on the state government to urgently address the deficiencies identified at the stadium and ensure that the facility is upgraded to meet international standards and capable of hosting major continental competitions in the future.

Sports

UCL Final: ‘I hope last year’s loss to PSG still hurts’ – Wilshere messages Arsenal

Published

3 months ago

May 28, 2026

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Former Arsenal star, Jack Wilshere, has sent a message to the Gunners ahead of their UEFA Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal will take on the French Ligue 1 giants in the Champions League final this year in Budapest on Saturday evening.

Mikel Arteta’s side had lost 3-1 on aggregate against PSG in the Champions League semi-final stage last year.

Speaking on TNT Sports (via GOAL), Wilshere remembered Arsenal about their last year’s defeat to PSG and urged them to use it as a revenge to get a win against Luis Enrique’s side when both sides meet again this weekend.

“Now that the Premier League is over the line, I know that the Premier League was the one. I know that Mikel wanted that. I know that the boys wanted that,” Wilshere said.

“Now you have to go through some tough times and learn from it. I hope that the Champions League semi-final [PSG 3-1 Arsenal] last year hurt them enough that they can go on and use that [against PSG].

“I think when you are on the pitch, and you are playing against your direct opponent, you learn so much about them. And to face them next year, they will be better for that.”