Every Brazilian to Play in the Premier League for Chelsea - Ranked

Oh, Thiago Silva...

Not my words - the words of a teenager on stage at Glastonbury alongside one of the UK's most adored rappers. And the words that will be bouncing around Stamford Bridge next season - albeit through a speaker at this rate - as Chelsea fans watch the veteran Brazilian help in their pursuit of another Premier League title.

Despite being 35, Chelsea's signing of Thiago Silva on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain will likely prove to be an intelligent piece of business. Even if it doesn't all work out on the pitch, he'll provide a wealth of experience and leadership behind the scenes.

The Blues have welcomed a number of Brazilians to west London during the Premier League era, with each signing enjoying varying degrees of success. Some have been incredible coups and become icons with the club, while others are best left forgotten.

When Silva makes his Premier League debut for Frank Lampard's side, he'll become the 13th Brazilian to feature for Chelsea in the Premier League. Here, we rank how the other 12 did at Stamford Bridge from worst to best...

12. Mineiro

The midfielder joined Chelsea in 2008 as backup to Michael Essien, but could only manage two games for the club.

Didn't really get many opportunities, but it's hard to come anywhere other than last with such a little contribution.

11. Filipe Luis

Regarded as one of the best left-backs in Europe following his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2014, Chelsea looked to have had a bargain on their hands with Filipe Luis. Signed for just £15.8m, he was seen as the man to replace Ashley Cole.

He flopped massively, however, never quite adapting to the pace of the Premier League. He ended up playing second fiddle to Cesar Azpilicueta and swiftly moved back to Atletico at the end of his only season with the club.

10. Alexandre Pato

When Alexandre Pato joined Chelsea on a shock loan move in January 2016, everybody secretly wanted it to work out.

This was the striker's chance to get his career back on track at a top club, having fallen off from a blistering start to his career at Milan.

He only played twice, and didn't manage to earn himself a permanent move. Shame, really.

9. Lucas Piazon

Believe it or not, Lucas Piazon is still a Chelsea player. Somehow.

Piazon joined Chelsea officially in 2012, securing a work permit following his 18th birthday. Since then, he's made one Premier League appearance and been out on loan more times than Batista has been a WWE world champion.

Now 26, he's still on the books at Stamford Bridge, thus the chance of him having a miraculous resurgence in London still exists. But it's incredibly slim.

8. Kenedy

Kenedy actually made 13 appearances in a disappointing 2017/18 season for the club, despite them winning the FA Cup.

He's since been out on loan at Newcastle and spent last season in Spain with Getafe.

By no means is Kenedy a bad player, but Chelsea are now much better off without him and he's likely to be sold in the not so distant future. Or loaned, like everyone else.

7. Emerson Thome

Emerson Thome signed for the Blues in 1999, but struggled to break into the starting XI over the established centre-back pairing of Marcel Desailly and Frank Leboeuf.

He did start in their Champions League quarter-final victory over Barcelona, though, and was a solid rotation option in his sole season with the club.

6. Juliano Belletti

Right-back Belletti joined Chelsea from Barcelona in 2007 and became a bit of a hit at Stamford Bridge.

He won the club's goal of the season award for the 2007/08 season for his strike against Spurs, and became a fan favourite for his abilities to score worldies.

He was reduced to being a squad player the following season, but was still versatile and reliable - yet only scored incredible goals. He left on a free in 2010 as a fan favourite.

5. Alex

No, not Alex from Glasto...

The big Brazilian centre-back - literally nicknamed 'The Tank' - joined Chelsea in 2004, but spent three years playing with PSV in order to obtain a work permit. He finally debuted for the Blues in the 2007/08 season and gained a reputation for scoring long range efforts, hence the nickname.

He enjoyed success at Chelsea and left in 2012 after winning one Premier League, one Community Shield and a two FA Cups.

4. Oscar

After impressing in Brazil, Chelsea purchased Oscar from Internacional in 2012 for a hefty fee of around £25m.

It quickly looked a bargain, however, as the tricky midfielder bagged twice on his debut against Juventus and proved to be one of the team's most technically gifted players.

He starred in Chelsea's Premier League winning campaign in 2014/15, but made a big money move to China in 2017, where he has remained since.

It's a shame that someone with so much talent is spending their peak years in a league that's simply too easy for him, but he has explained how the move was important for his family.

3. Ramires

Perhaps one of the most underrated Premier League midfielders in recent times, Ramires often flies under the radar when you think of top players to have worn Chelsea blue.

The Brazilian signed in 2010 and, despite a slow start, grew into one of the squad's most vital assets. A tough tackler who read the game well, he was the powerhouse in Chelsea's midfield and was a major success before leaving in 2016.

He was key to Chelsea's success and won a Premier League, Europa League, Champions League, FA Cup and a League Cup in England.

2. David Luiz

While his eccentric play style and generally wild attitude to the game can sometimes leave David Luiz in bad positions, he proved to be one of the most capable modern centre-backs during his peak.

He enjoyed two spells with Chelsea, winning the FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League in his first stint, before returning in 2016 from PSG and finally capturing the Premier League. A tenacious tackler with a desire to get forward, he was a serious wildcard.

He was criticised for inconsistencies and reckless moments, but sometimes that loose cannon figure is exactly what a squad needs to be the best. Well, that's easy to say when you're winning, anyway.

1. Willian

There isn't much splitting Willian, David Luiz, Ramires and even Oscar, but the winger just comes out on top.

Another one perhaps underrated by many, Willian was an incredible servant for Chelsea from 2013 to 2020. He scored a beauty on his debut which was a sign of things to come, and continued to pop up with a number of goals and assists in vital moments for the club down the years.

He left for Arsenal ahead of the 2020/21 season, but bowed out with 63 goals and 62 assists from 339 games and leaves as a two-time Premier League winner, a Europa League winner and more, as well as collecting a whole host of individual honours.

He won Chelsea's Player of the Year award in 2015/16, as well as the Players' Player of the Year in 2015/16 and 2016/17, and finished the 2018/19 Europa League run with the most assists in the competition.