Chelsea's Spain Defender Joins Mikel, Moses In Premier League 200 Club

Published: August 26, 2018

Spain international defender Cesar Azpilicueta became the seventh foreigner to make 200 appearances for Chelsea in the Premier League after featuring in his side's 2-1 win at Newcastle United on Sunday, August 26.

Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel, Ivorian Didier Drogba, Belgian Eden Hazard, Italian Gianfranco Zola, Serbian Branislav Ivanović and Czech Petr Čech are the other foreigners to have played 200 or more games for the Blues in the topflight.

Mikel reached the 200-game milestone for Chelsea on February 3, 2014 after replacing Willian in the 90th minute in a 1-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Before moving to Tianjin Teda in January 2017, the Super Eagles captain had 249 appearances to his name in the English Premier League, of which 183 were starts.

The defensive midfielder scored one goal and tallied ten assists in 249 matches in the Premier League.

Nigeria's record appearance maker in the Premier League is Shola Ameobi, who made 298 appearances between 2000 and 2015.

Victor Moses, Joseph Yobo, Kanu, Yakubu and Victor Anichebe made more than 200 appearances in the Premier League.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com