Chelsea have always been one of the best importers of Brazilian talents to the Premier League. Since the turn of this millennium, twelve Brazilians, excluding Thiago Silva, have made an appearance in the Premier League for the Blues. While some have flourished at the Bridge, some have left without a trace.
The Brazilian Players Who Have Graced the Premier League With Chelsea
Emerson Thome (1999 – 2000)
Chelsea and their Brazilian links date back to the last millennium. Emerson Thome was the first Brazilian to play for the Blues after moving to Stamford Bridge in 1999. The defender struggled to displace the Marcel Desailly-Frank Lebouf combination and had to settle for a place on the bench.
Despite the lack of first-team opportunities, the defender still managed to make 21 appearances. The Brazilian eventually left the club nine months into his contract after securing a move to Sunderland in 2000.
Alex (2004 – 2012)
Alex is one of the best Brazilian defenders to play in the Premier League. Despite signing with the Blues in 2004, he made his debut only three years later after work permits caused a delay.
Alex was irreplaceable in his first two seasons at the Bridge before injuries played spoilsport. A lack of first-team chances saw the defender leaving the club in 2012 after eight years in with the club.
During these years, the Brazilian made 86 appearances in the league and scored seven goals. Along with Julian Belletti, he was the first Brazilian to win the Premier League with Chelsea.
Juliano Belletti (2007 – 2010)
The second Brazilian defender with a cult following at Stamford Bridge. Belletti’s long-range efforts and tireless displays earned him a special place in the hearts of Chelsea fans. The Brazilian arrived from Barcelona in 2007 and was a regular in his debut season.
The arrival of Jose Bosingwa in the following season saw the Brazilian lose his starting place. However, he developed himself into a utility player and played as a valuable backup to several positions. Belletti left the club after the expiration of his three-year contract in 2010. The defender struggled with injuries in his later years and eventually retired towards the end of 2010.
He left the club after making 54 appearances in the league, scoring five spectacular goals.
Mineiro (2008 – 2009)
There is little to talk about the time in Chelsea for Mineiro. The Brazilian defensive midfielder arrived at the Bridge in 2008 as a backup for Michael Essien. He left the club at the end of the season after making a single appearance in the Premier League.
The only notable incident for the Brazilian was the delay in his presentation. Despite signing in late September, the Blues unveiled Mineiro to the press only in November.
Ramires (2010 – 2016)
The industrious midfielder is arguably one of the greatest Brazilian midfielders to play in the Premier League. Arriving from Benfica in 2010, Ramires was part of arguably Chelsea’s golden team that won every possible trophy.
The Brazilian formed a great partnership in the middle with John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien for the Blues in the early 2010’s. Ramires never played less than 30 matches during his first four years.
A lack of first-team football and a change in management saw the Brazilian moving out in 2016. Ramires is the only Brazilian to win every major domestic and European honours with Chelsea.
He left the club after making 160 appearances and scoring 20 goals.
David Luiz (2011 – 2014 & 2016 – 2019)
David Luiz is the only Brazilian to have two stints at Chelsea. The defender arrived at the Bridge in 2011 as a replacement for fellow Brazilian Alex. Luiz had his ups and downs at Bridge. His error-prone style of play always had its fair share of critics.
In six-and-a-half years, the defender pretty much won everything with Blues, bar the League Cup. The defender moved across to the Red side of London last season after Lampard made it clear about the Brazilian not being in his long term plans.
Oscar (2012 – 2016)
European football never experienced the full extent of Oscar. The nimble-footed Brazilian left the European shores just before hitting his prime. In four-and-a-half wonderful years in Europe, the attacking midfield magician waved his wand over Chelsea midfield.
The Brazilian appeared 131 times in the Premier League, scoring 21 goals for the Blues during that time. In this period he won the Premier League, League Cup and Europa League.
Lucas Piazon (2012 – Present)
Lucas Piazon has hardly had a Chelsea career. The Brazilian has spent much of his time as a Blue on loan at different clubs. Signed in 2012, the attacker made just a single appearance in the Premier League and has hardly seen Premier League action since.
Willian (2013 – 2020)
The Brazilian was a common sight on the Chelsea right wing for most of the last decade. The fleet-footed Brazilian impressed as he lit up the Premier League for the Blues. Willian‘s wicked free-kicks were a thing of beauty while it lasted, and he arguably goes down as one of the greatest Brazilians to play in the Premier League.
The winger served the Blues for seven successful seasons. He made 234 appearances for the Blues and won every domestic trophy, as well as the Europa League.
Willian is also the highest appearance making Brazilian for Chelsea. Contract issues saw the Brazilian leaving the club and moving on a free to Arsenal.
Filipe Luis (2014 – 2015)
The Brazilian full-backs Chelsea career was a short one. Luis arrived from Atletico in 2014 as a replacement for Chelsea legend Ashley Cole. The full-back, though, never really adjusted to life in London. The in-from Cesar Azpilicueta rarely gave him a sniff of first-team action.
The Brazilian international eventually left to rejoin Atletico Madrid after just a single season. Despite a lack of starts, Luis still managed to win the Premier League and League cup in his only season.
Kenedy (2014- Present)
Kenedy is another member of the now-famous Chelsea loan army. The Brazilian was a huge prospect when he arrived at the Bridge in 2014. Kenedy, despite being given ample chances, never really made full use of it.
The Brazilian made 14 league appearances in his debut season but added just one more in the next five seasons. The 24-year-old still remains in Chelsea’s ranks, but the winger is unlikely to reach the potential that everyone hoped he would.
Alexandre Pato (2016)
Alexandre Pato had the world under his feet. He was the Golden Boy of Milan during the late 2000s. However, injuries played spoilsport to what would have been a great career. Having said this, the Pato that arrived at Chelsea was a shadow of the one that thrived in Milan.
The Brazilian never really got a run in the team after arriving on loan during the 2016 winter transfer window. Pato made just two appearances and scored once and left the club after six months.
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