Cole Palmer is on the shortlist for the FIFPRO Men’s World XI, while Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton, Keira Walsh and Ellie Carpenter are all in contention to be in the FIFPRO Women’s World XI.

The men’s award was created in 2005, with the women’s equivalent opening up ten years later. The award is voted for by tens of thousands of professional football players around the world, meaning this group have the ultimate respect of their peers…

Chelsea’s FIFPRO Men’s World XI representatives

John Terry – 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

John Terry was always rated highly by his peers and that was evidenced by his selection in the first five FIFPRO World XIs since its inception in 2005.

That was a period in which we won two league titles and reached the Champions League final once and the semi-final on three occasions, with Terry instrumental in the heart of our defence.

Frank Lampard – 2005

Frank Lampard’s performances in our title-winning campaign of 2004/05 raised the bar for what a goalscoring midfield player was capable of. He showcased his qualities on the European stage, too, with knockout goals against Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the Champions League.

Claude Makelele – 2005

Lampard’s partner-in-crime in central midfield, Claude Makelele, was the third Blues player selected in the inaugural FIFPRO XI, with his reading of the game and destructive qualities catching the eye.

Didier Drogba – 2007

Drogba’s 33 goals in all competition in 2006/07 included 20 in the Premier League (enough to earn him the Golden Boot), several unstoppable efforts in Europe, and the winning goals in both the League Cup and FA Cup finals. Having tormented so many defences it was no surprise he made the FIFPRO team.

David Luiz – 2014

David Luiz’s displays in the final season of his first spell at Stamford Bridge - as well as at the 2014 World Cup - were so impressive he accompanied Thiago Silva in the World XI’s defence.

Eden Hazard – 2018, 2019

The brilliant Belgian must have been close to making previous teams before he deservedly did in 2018 and 2019 in his last two seasons at the club. Hazard’s dazzling displays on the wing and goals on the big occasion – including in the 2018 FA Cup final and the Europa League final the following year – could not be ignored.

N’Golo Kante - 2018, 2021

N’Golo Kante joined Hazard in the 2018 team and was selected again three years later after our Champions League triumph. Kante starred in the knockout rounds and picked up the Player of the Match prize in the final.

Jorginho – 2021

Another star performer on our run to glory in Porto, the midfielder completed a golden summer by winning the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

Chelsea’s FIFPRO Women’s World XI representatives

Hedvig Lindahl – 2017

Hedvig Lindahl was long regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in world football – and in the 2017 vote, players around the world felt there was nobody better as she became the first Chelsea Women player to make the XI.

Pernille Harder - 2020

It was no surprise that Pernille Harder made the team in 2020, fresh from winning the Champions League Player of the Year award as Wolfsburg were beaten in the final before her move to Chelsea for a world-record fee.

Millie Bright – 2020, 2021

With the trophies rolling in at domestic level, the Blues making the Champions League final for the first time and England winning Euro 2021, Millie Bright was a worthy inclusion in back-to-back teams at the start of the decade.

Magdalena Eriksson – 2021

Bright formed a wonderful central defensive partnership with Magda Eriksson, who joined in the XI in 2021 after a season in which we won a domestic treble and reached the Champions League final.

Sam Kerr – 2022, 2023

There was no more prolific striker in world football in 2022 or 2023 than Sam Kerr, who found the net with such regularity her peers could simply not avoid choosing her.

Lauren James – 2023, 2024

Lauren James then replicated Kerr by being selected in consecutive years as she burst onto the scene with some scintillating displays for club and country.

Lucy Bronze - 2024

Bronze was a Chelsea player was she was named in a record-equalling seventh FIFPRO team last year, with her performances for Barcelona – when they won the Champions League and all three domestic trophies – recognised.