To commemorate the Lunar New Year, we’re taking a look at some of the finest Chelsea players who were born in the Year of the Rabbit.

A symbol of purity, hope and longevity in Chinese culture, the rabbit is the fourth character in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. It is certainly well represented in our current squad with new loan signing Joao Felix (born 12.11.1999) joining Reece James (08.12.1999), Trevoh Chalobah (05.07.1999) and Kai Havertz (11.06.1999) in a quartet of talented rabbits now playing for the Blues.

However, they are just the latest in a line of skilful and popular rabbits who have delighted fans at Stamford Bridge through the years.

Alan Hudson

  • Born: 21.06.1951

  • Position: Midfielder

  • Appearances: 189

  • Goals: 14

  • Chelsea honours: FA Cup 1970, Cup Winners’ Cup 1971

A product of the club’s youth system, Hudson made his senior debut at the age of 17 and the versatile playmaker quickly endeared himself to the Chelsea fans with his athleticism, strength and fine technical ability. As a teenager, he played a key role in our run to the FA Cup final (although injured for the Leeds games) in 1970 before starring in our Cup Winners’ Cup triumph over Real Madrid a year later.

Steve Clarke

  • Born: 29.08.1963

  • Position: Defender

  • Appearances: 421

  • Goals: 10

  • Chelsea honours: FA Cup 1997, League Cup 1998, Cup Winners’ Cup 1998

Clarke joined Chelsea from St Mirren in the Year of the Rabbit in 1987 and was a dependable member of our backline for 12 seasons. Our 1994 Player of the Year was ultimately rewarded for his long service as he played in three cup final victories in his final two seasons with the Blues before he embarked on a coaching career which culminated in his appointment as Scotland manager in 2019.

Pat Nevin

  • Born: 06.09.1963

  • Position: WInger

  • Appearances: 242

  • Goals: 45

  • Chelsea honours: Second Division championship 1984, Full Members Cup 1986

Signed from Clyde in 1983, Nevin delighted the Chelsea faithful in the mid-1980s with his elegant skills in the team which won the Second Division title and enjoyed back-to-back top-six finishes in the top flight. A two-time Chelsea Player of the Year, the erudite and eloquent Scot was a player ahead of his time and remains a hugely popular figure with Blues supporters to this day.

Mark Hughes

  • Born: 01.11.1963

  • Position: Striker

  • Appearances: 123

  • Goals: 39

  • Chelsea honours: FA Cup 1997, League Cup 1998, Cup Winners’ Cup 1998

Hughes was 31 when he arrived from Manchester United in 1995 but the boyhood Chelsea fan enjoyed three fruitful seasons at the Bridge as he struck up a potent strike partnership with Gianfranco Zola. The powerful Welsh forward was our Player of the Year in 1997 and scored a series of important semi-final goals as we lifted the FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup.

Hernan Crespo

  • Born: 05.07.1975

  • Position: Striker

  • Appearances: 73

  • Goals: 25

  • Chelsea honours: Premier League 2006

Crespo played only two full seasons for Chelsea after his arrival from Inter Milan in 2003 but the prolific Argentinian striker proved his worth with some excellent strikes including a stunning stoppage-time winner in our season-opener at Wigan in 2005/06. It kick-stated a run of nine straight wins at the start of the season as the Blues successfully retained the Premier League title.

Ramires

  • Born: 24.03.1987

  • Position: Midfielder

  • Appearances: 251

  • Goals: 34

  • Chelsea honours: Champions League 2012, FA Cup 2012, Europa League 2013, Premier League 2015, League Cup 2015

A dynamic box-to-box midfielder with a fine knack for scoring timely goals, Ramires is revered by Chelsea fans for his crucial strike in the Champions League semi-final at Camp Nou in 2012. With the Blues down a man and trailing as half-time approached, the Brazilian strode clear of Barcelona’s defence and found the net with a sumptuous lob as we defied the odds to reach the final.

Cesc Fabregas

  • Born: 04.05.1987

  • Position: Midfielder

  • Appearances: 198

  • Goals: 22

  • Chelsea honours: Premier League 2015, 2017, League Cup 2015, FA Cup 2018

Fabregas was a former Arsenal captain but he quickly won over Chelsea fans after his arrival in 2014 as his excellent vision, ball control and passing ability helped power us to two Premier League titles in three seasons. The Spaniard was an assist machine for the Blues, setting up more than 50 goals and netting 22 himself including a crucial late winner at Queens Park Rangers late in the 2014/15 season.

Pedro

  • Born: 28.07.1987

  • Position: Midfielder

  • Appearances: 206

  • Goals: 43

  • Chelsea honours: Premier League 2017, FA Cup 2018, Europa League 2019

Nimble, hard-working and blessed with excellent pace and technique, Pedro delighted fans in his five seasons at the Bridge with his excellent eye for goal and finishing ability with both feet. His stunning Goal of the Month-winning strikes against Spurs and Everton proved crucial to our Premier League triumph of 2016/17 and he also scored in our Europa League victory over Arsenal in 2019.