Revealed: Old guard Lampard, Cech, Terry and Drogba in Chelsea team of the decade

We are nearing the end of our team of the decade series but there are still a few big European teams left to reveal. Returning to the Premier League, it's time to turn our attentions to Chelsea.

As is always the case, players must have made at least 70 appearances for the club across Premier League and Champions League competition to be eligible for selection.

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (206 apps) - 6.91 rating

Petr Cech will certainly go down as one of the all-time great goalkeepers in the Premier League. In the Premier League and Champions League from the turn of 2010 he averaged a clean sheet every 2 matches and conceded less than a goal per game (0.89). Chelsea eventually decided to blood through Thibaut Courtois before Cech was forced to leave in 2015.

Right-back: Branislav Ivanovic (281 apps / 26 goals) - 7.15 rating

Despite leaving in 2017, only two players have made more appearances across both competitions for Chelsea this decade than Ivanovic, illustrating what a dependable player he was for the Blues during his long stint at Stamford Bridge. Ivanovic faded quickly towards the end but he will be considered a hugely consistent member of some of Chelsea's best years. Not only a rock at the back, but Ivanovic also chipped in with 26 goals across the two tournaments.

Centre-back: David Luiz (189 apps / 15 goals) - 7.11 rating

David Luiz has certainly divided opinion among supporters of the Premier League but he was part of successful Chelsea teams in both of his stints at the club this decade. Luiz won the Champions League in his first stint and the Premier League in his first season back (2016/17). Known for some spectacular goals, five of his 15 across the two competitions were from outside the box.

Centre-back: John Terry (242 apps / 27 goals) - 7.03 rating

John Terry is regarded as one of the Premier League's greatest defenders, put in the same bracket as the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Terry captained Chelsea to three Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy this decade and scored 27 goals across the two competitions. In fact, Terry scored in all eight of his league campaigns for Chelsea at the turn of the decade. Furthermore, of players that made at least 70 appearances for Chelsea, only one has a better pass success rate than Terry (89.4%) this decade.

Left-back: Marcos Alonso (113 apps / 16 goals) - 7.21 rating

Out of favour at the moment, it does not detract from what a brilliant left-back Marcos Alonso has been for Chelsea since joining in the summer of 2016, particularly going forward. Alonso was labelled a bad buy at the time but has proved hugely effective for the Blues. Alonso has played a direct hand in 28 goals in 113 appearances. Alonso averages 2.3 aerials won per 90 minutes across the two competitions, which is a handy return for a full-back.

Right wing: Florent Malouda (102 apps / 25 goals) - 7.30 rating

Florent Malouda perhaps doesn't spring to mind as an obvious candidate for a Chelsea team of the decade but the Frenchman posted some impressive numbers during his time at the club. In fact, only one Chelsea player averages more key passes per game than Malouda (2.4) over the two competitions. Furthermore, Malouda ranks top for accurate crosses per game (1.7) at the club in that time. The former France international scored 25 goals and registered 16 assists for the Blues until leaving the club in 2013.

Central midfield: Frank Lampard (158 apps / 62 goals) - 7.27 rating

Despite leaving Chelsea in 2014, only one player has scored more goals for Chelsea across the two tournaments this decade than Lampard (62 goals). The now-Chelsea manager impressively reached double figures for goals in four straight league campaigns and also registered 24 assists across the two competitions.

Central midfield: Nemanja Matic (135 apps / 6 goals) - 7.27 rating

Nemanja Matic was regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders around during his time at Chelsea before eventually handing over the baton to N'Golo Kante. Indeed, only one player (70+ apps) averages more tackles and interceptions combined per game for Chelsea across the two tournaments this decade than Matic (4.6). Furthermore, Matic finished his time at Chelsea with an impressive dribble success rate of 73.4%.

Left wing: Eden Hazard (283 apps / 93 goals) - 7.64 rating

Eden Hazard is Chelsea's player of the decade and there can be no arguments there. Hazard ranks top for both goals (93) and assists (62) across the two tournaments, as well finishing top of the pops for most successful dribbles per game (3.8) and times fouled per game (2.7). Furthermore, Hazard has won the WhoScored Man of the Match award at least 46 more times than any other Chelsea player this decade (67).

Striker: Didier Drogba (124 apps / 45 goals) - 7.21 rating

Most of Didier Drogba's best work for Chelsea was carried out during the noughties but he still makes the best rated XI after scoring 45 goals in 124 league and Champions League appearances. Drogba left Chelsea in 2012 before returning for a brief stint in the 2014/15 campaign but impressively ranks third for most WhoScored Man of the Match awards for Chelsea this decade (15).

Striker: Diego Costa (104 apps / 54 goals) - 7.28 rating

A combination of Didier Drogba and Diego Costa up front would arguably have been the most terrifying in Premier League history. Both used to bully defenders into submission during their peak years, while Costa finished his time with a superb goalscoring record for the club. Costa had a record better than a goal every other game (0.52). In fact, Costa was the sixth fastest player in Premier League history to bring up 40 goals in the competition, doing so in October 2016 from 64 matches - quicker than Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane.

Notable omissions...

N'Golo Kante (7.13 rating) - Averages more tackles and interceptions combined per game than any other Chelsea player (70+ apps) across the two competitions this decade (5).

Juan Mata (7.21 rating) - Was Chelsea's player of the season two years running before being kicked to the curb by Jose Mourinho. Averaged an assist more frequently (1 every 230 minutes) than any other Chelsea player across both competitions this decade (70+ apps).

Ashley Cole (6.99 rating) - Unfortunate to come up against a free-scoring full-back like Marcos Alonso. Ashley Cole is regarded as one of the division's best full-backs and averaged 2.6 tackles per 90 minutes for Chelsea across both tournaments this decade.