They say never go back in football but it is something that loads of Chelsea players have done over the years – albeit to varying degrees of success.
Even Jose Mourinho has done it, winning three Premier League titles across his two spells in charge at Stamford Bridge. Nathan Ake is the latest name to be linked with a return to west London as Thomas Tuchel looks to bolster his defensive options.
From the 1960s to the 2020s, we take a look back at the 12 players who have spent two spells of their career with the Blues and how they got on upon their return.
Nigel Spackman
In his debut season, Spackman was part of the side that breezed to the second division title in 1984 and helped establish the Blues back in the top flight.
But he was sold to Liverpool in 1987 after becoming one of many players to fall out with manager John Hollins. 1992 saw him return to Chelsea for four more years, although no major honours came with it.
Steve Wicks
Wicks was a key figure at Chelsea at the end of the 1970s and the end of the 1980s, making 150 appearances for the club across both spells.
In between, he sandwiched stints with Derby County, Crystal Palace and two spells with Queens Park Rangers. The man clearly loved west London.
Alan Hudson
Hudson was a Fulham fan growing up but had to settle for Chelsea as a schoolboy after being rejected by the Craven Cottage club.
He made his first-team debut in 1969 and went on to become an integral part of FA Cup wins, Cup Winners’ Cup triumphs and, most importantly, the club’s hit single, Blue Is The Colour, that peaked at number five in the charts.
Stoke City snapped him up in 1974 and a spell across London with Arsenal followed before Hudson returned to Stamford Bridge in 1983, although he did not make another first-team appearance.
Charlie Cooke
Cooke became Chelsea’s club-record signing when he arrived for £72,000 in April 1966 and the Scottish winger remained for six years, famously making World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore look bang average in a clash with West Ham.
He left for Crystal Palace but returned just in time to be relegated to the second division. However, he proved pivotal in helping Chelsea to an immediate return to the top flight.
Peter Osgood
Osgood’s two spells with the Blues brought nearly 300 appearances, over 100 goals and culminated in a statue of the striker outside Stamford Bridge being revealed in 2010, following his death four years earlier.
He also remains the last player to score…
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