The Top 7 Best Players Who Left Chelsea for Free Including Frank Lampard

• Chelsea have been home to some of the finest footballers in the world who have contributed to their success in recent years
• However, the West London club have often ended up losing some of these players on free transfers
• As Antonio Rudiger joins a long list of some of the best players who have left Stamford Bridge for free, Sports Brief takes a look at the top seven others who the Blues failed to fetch a penny from when they left

Chelsea have had the privilege of having some of the world's best players turn out for the club.

While the majority of the players had relatively successful careers with the Blues, the club often eventually lost them to rival teams.

Currently, the West London club are facing the prospect of a summer exodus, with most of the players set to leave for nothing.

Top on the list of the players who are on their way out is Antonio Rudiger who is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.

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The Germany international ran down his contract at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea chiefs failing to convince him to extend his stay.

Below are the top seven best players who have left Chelsea for nothing according to The Sun:

7. Claude Makelele

Makelele had an illustrious career with Chelsea as he won two league titles with them.

However, he eventually left the Blues on a free transfer to PSG in 2008.

6. Salomon Kalou

After getting tired of warming the bench as a super-sub, the Ivorian sought a way out.

He was subsequently released in 2012, joining French side, Lille, where he scored an incredible 34 goals in his first two seasons with the club.

5. Branislav Ivanovic

The Serbian spent 10 years at Chelsea and won nearly every available trophy including the Champions League.

However, the Blues decided to cut ties with him after evidencing signs of clumsiness at the back.

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4. Ashley Cole

The Englishman was a huge hit when he moved to the West London club.

However, the arrival of Cesar Azpilicueta brought his illustrious career with Chelsea to an end.

He left the Blues on a free transfer in 2014.

3. Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba's relationship was on and off.

His last kick in a Chelsea shirt won the club their first-ever Champions League title.

He later rejoined the club in 2014 under Jose Mourinho before leaving for the MLS for nothing again.

2. Frank Lampard

Chelsea's all-time top goalscorer wound up his career in the MLS with New York City in 2014.

His Chelsea exit was rather controversial as he was loaned out to Man City before his eventual move to the MLS.

1. John Terry

And finally on the top seven list is the legendary John Terry.

After more than 700 appearances for the Blues, the iconic defender joined Aston Villa on a free transfer in 2017.

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He would later join Villa's coaching staff before dumping them in 2021 for a return to Chelsea.

N'Golo Kante breaks silence about Chelsea future

Earlier, Sports Brief reported French midfielder N'Golo Kante has hinted he is keen to see out the rest of his contract with Chelsea.

Kante is currently the subject of transfer speculation, with Man United boss Erik ten Hag reportedly keen to sign him.

The former Leicester City star has just a year left on his current deal at Stamford Bridge.

The France international joined the Blues in 2016 shortly after helping the Foxes win the Premier League title the previous year.