Perhaps no country in world football consistently produces top talent quite like Brazil, the South American superpower often a happy hunting ground for clubs seeking the next big thing.
Chelsea are the Premier League side to have made the most of Brazil’s best talent, with no side in England’s top tier having signed more samba stars than the west London outfit.
We’ve decided to look back at some of very best to have plied their trade at Stamford Bridge, here are the five best Brazilians to have played for Chelsea:
Alex
Chelsea spotted the potential in the burly defender and secured a deal to sign the promising centre-back from Santos, though he would spend three seasons away from the club on-loan at PSV Eindhoven amid work permit issues before making his first-team debut.
Alex won three consecutive Eredivisie titles and reached the Champions League semi-finals with PSV before being handed his opportunity in the Premier League, establishing himself as an important player for the west London side despite continued managerial upheaval.
He won two FA Cups and the Premier League title as part of a domestic double during his time in English football, whilst proving a popular player amongst the club’s fanbase for his ability for his ability to score spectacular efforts from distance.
Rarely has a centre-back hit thunderbastards with such aplomb.
Bang! ????@ChelseaFC's Alex with a thunderous #GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/jLn5a0K7ZE
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 7, 2016
Ramires
The all-action midfielder arrived from Benfica and played an influential role in some of the club’s greatest successes during a six-year spell at Stamford Bridge, memorably scoring in an FA Cup final victory over Liverpool and a delightful chip against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.
The Brazilian’s industrious style saw him become a popular figure and he won five major honours during his time in English football, including forming part of the side which won the Premier League during Jose Mourinho’s second stint at the club in 2015.
Ramires made 246 appearances in all competitions including a huge 62 during the 2012/13 campaign, scoring 33 goals before embarking on a new challenge in the Chinese Super League with Jiangsu Suning.
Oscar
Oscar was tipped for a huge future in the game following his starring emergence at Internacional, Chelsea beating off competition from a host of Europe’s leading sides to sign the promising playmaker in 2012.
The naturally talented star enjoyed a successful four-year spell in the Premier League and played a key part in two title-winning campaigns, a gifted creative talent with an excellent first touch and ability to produce something out of nothing.
League Cup and Europa League titles were also added to a burgeoning collection of silverware and he made 203 appearances in all competitions for the Blues, before becoming one of the world’s highest-paid footballers with a surprising but lucrative move to China whilst still at the peak of his powers.
Oscar has thrived since moving to Shanghai and helped the club to a first ever league title, however, his absence from European football is a shame for a player of his talent though and has led to his continued exclusion from the Brazilian national side.
David Luiz
David Luiz may be a much maligned figure in some circles but the big-haired Brazilian played the best football of his career during two spells at Chelsea, winning a host of major honours including the Premier League, Champions League and the FA Cup and Europa League twice each.
The ball-playing centre-back has often proven an enigmatic presence and combined the brilliant with the bizarre, a player as equally capable of commanding displays as he is of brain-farts of epic proportions.
He has, however, played a crucial role in two successful stints at Stamford Bridge and was a stand-out star of the club’s 2016/17 title-winning campaign under Antonio Conte, thriving as the centre-piece of a back three and earning inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year.
His confident and cavalier defensive style may not be to everyone’s liking, but there are few Brazilian’s who have made as big an impact in Chelsea colours.
Willian
Willian’s seven season stay at Chelsea looks like it may be coming to an end this summer, but the winger has probably been the best of the Brazilian’s to have played for the club.
The fleet-footed star arrived from Anzhi Makhachkala after pulling a U-turn on a proposed move to London rivals Tottenham, since thriving across the capital divide and playing a major role in several seasons of success.
Willian’s list of honours includes two league titles amongst his five major honours, whilst he has often maintained his standards during disappointing spells for the club, twice being named as Chelsea’s Player’s Player of the Season.
A set-piece specialist and fan favourite for his willingness to work hard, he has scored 62 goals in 333 appearances to date including a collection of fine free-kicks.
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