Chelsea Advent: Our greatest No.9s

There's nothing quite as thrilling as watching a forward in the number nine jersey score goals. On December 9th, we take a look back at the careers of our finest players...

Roy Bentley: 1948-1956

Roy Bentley, who led Chelsea to their first league title in the 1954/55 season, is also tied for fifth on the club's all-time scoring list.

He led the scoring rankings throughout all eight seasons he spent at the club after joining from Newcastle United for £11,000 in January 1948.

Bentley played a crucial role in our Championship victory, showcasing his leadership skills and scoring ability. He netted 21 goals throughout the season, including two important goals in a key match against our closest rivals, Wolves.

Peter Osgood: 1964-1974 & 1978/79 Stats

Tied with Bentley for the top spot in our all-time scoring records, Peter Osgood was known as the King of Stamford Bridge, shining brightly as the standout player on the glamorous Chelsea team of the 1960s and 1970s.

As a forward, Ossie was capable of scoring all kinds of goals. He combined the strength needed for that period of football with a natural elegance and smooth control.

He found the back of the net in every round of the FA Cup during our first victory in the tournament in 1970, making him the last player to do so. This includes his memorable diving header during the replay at Old Trafford. Over the next two seasons, he also scored in each of our finals. Osgood's impact is still remembered today, with a statue honoring him outside the West Stand of the stadium he called home.

Kerry Dixon: 1983-1992, 193 Goals In 420 Games

Kerry Dixon was a prolific goal-scorer during the unpredictable 1980s, playing a key role in our promotion from the Second Division on two occasions and helping us secure our place in the top tier once again.

The forward netted 34 goals in his debut season and followed it up with 36 in his second year, earning him the Golden Boot and gaining him recognition in England.

Dixon's incredible goal-scoring ability and vibrant personality made him one of the most cherished players in our club's history. He still shows up frequently at the Bridge on match days.

Gianluca Vialli: 88 Matches, 40 Goals

When Luca Vialli joined Chelsea in 1996 after winning the Champions League, it marked a turning point for the team, which was becoming more European and dynamic.

Vialli's strong work ethic influenced his new teammates, and his two goals in the FA Cup victory against Liverpool were key in leading the club to its first major trophy in 26 years.

His physical power, ability to maintain possession, and tendency to take shots early made him a perfect fit for the challenges of English football. In 1998, he took on the role of player-manager while still managing to score goals whenever he chose to play.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: 177 Matches, 87 Goals

When Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in 2000, he made history as the club's most expensive signing at that time. He quickly won over the fans, ending his debut season as the highest goal scorer in the Premier League.

Hasselbaink was known for scoring all kinds of goals, highlighted by the incredible perfect hat-trick he scored against Tottenham in March 2002. This match was during a season when he developed a legendary partnership with Eidur Gudjohnsen.

In his final season with the club, which was also the first under Roman Abramovich's ownership and marked by the signings of Hernan Crespo and Adrian Mutu, Hasselbaink still emerged as our leading scorer. Notably, he scored a hat-trick while coming off the bench in a match against Wolves.

Beth England: 163 Appearances, 74 Goals

After seven years of outstanding service, Beth England left Chelsea, solidifying her legacy as a club legend. Throughout her time with the Blues, she consistently demonstrated her scoring ability.

A standout season for her was in 2018/19, where she netted 22 goals in total, making her the leading scorer for the team. She carried that impressive performance into the next season, contributing 21 goals during our successful campaign that secured the Double and once again earned her the title of top scorer.

The forward received numerous individual awards, including being recognized as Chelsea Women’s Player of the Year, the Player of the Season in the Women’s Super League, and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

Six exceptional number 9 players, all united by one thing - their ability to score!