Roman Abramovich’s 19-year spell as Chelsea owner is coming to an end as he looks to sell the west London outfit.

In a statement released via the club’s website on Wednesday, the Russian billionaire said it had been “an incredibly difficult decision to make”.

“It pains me to part with the club in this manner,” Abramovich added. “However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the club.

“I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements. Chelsea Football Club and its supporters will always be in my heart.”

Under Abramovich’s ownership, Chelsea have enjoyed the most successful period in their entire history, winning 21 trophies in total. The club have spent over £2 billion on players, per talkSPORT, during that time.

But who were Chelsea’s 10 best and 10 worst signings following Abramovich’s arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2003? (All transfer fees via Transfermarkt).

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is seen on the stand during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on December 19, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Chelsea's 10 best signings under Roman Abramovich

Honourable mentions: Joe Cole - £8.91m from West Ham, Damien Duff - £22.05m from Blackburn, Cesc Fabregas - £29.7m from Barcelona, Diego Costa - £34.2m from Atletico Madrid, Juan Mata - £24.03m from Valencia, Nicolas Anelka - £16.2m from Bolton, Michael Ballack - Free from Bayern Munich, Arjen Robben - £16.2m from PSV.

10. John Obi Mikel - £18m from FK Lyn

Not the most spectacular footballer but an important squad player nonetheless. The reliable John Obi Mikel made 372 appearances for Chelsea between 2006-2017, winning two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one League Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League during that time.

LONDON - JANUARY 01: John Obi Mikel of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage on January 1, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

9. Claude Makelele - £18m from Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane knew that selling Claude Makelele to Chelsea was a big mistake by Real Madrid. The legendary French superstar is understood to have said in 2003: "Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?"

Indeed, Makelele - so good a position was named after him - immediately made a huge impact at Stamford Bridge, helping the Blues win the Premier League title in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

LONDON - APRIL 07: Steed Malbranque of Tottenham Hotspur is tackled by Claude Makelele of Chelsea during the Barclays Premiership match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on April 7, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

8. Ricardo Carvalho - £27m from FC Porto

Ricardo Carvalho formed a rock-solid defensive partnership with John Terry after joining the west London outfit in 2004. The Portugal international won three league titles and two League Cups during his six-year spell with the Blues before reuniting with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Ricardo Carvalho of Chelsea in action during the E.on sponsored FA Cup 5th Round match between Chelsea and Cardiff City at Stamford Bridge on February 13, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

7. Michael Essien - £34.2m from Lyon

Back in the mid-2000s, there were few better midfielders than Michael Essien anywhere in Europe. The £34.2 million that Chelsea paid Lyon for the Ghana international, who won nine trophies at the Bridge, looks a bargain in retrospect.

 Michael Essien of Chelsea celebrates scoring
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Michael Essien of Chelsea celebrates scoring the first goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Chelsea and Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on May 6, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Michael Essien of Chelsea celebrates scoring the first goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Chelsea and Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on May 6, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

6. Cesar Azpilicueta - £7.92m from Marseille

It’s fair to say that Cesar Azpilicueta has exceeded all expectations since his move from Marseille in 2012. The full-back affectionally nicknamed ‘Dave’ has played a key role in Chelsea’s success over the past nine years and has captained the club with distinction since 2019.

PORTO, PORTUGAL - MAY 29: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea celebrates with the Champions League Trophy following their team's victory in the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Estadio do Dragao on May 29, 2021 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Manu Fernandez - Pool/Getty Images)

5. Petr Cech - £11.7m from Rennes

Arguably the greatest goalkeeper of the Premier League era, Petr Cech looked almost unbeatable when Chelsea first signed him from Rennes. He played 494 competitive games for the Blues, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League.

He currently works as Chelsea’s technical and performance advisor but, regardless of whatever else happens, will always be remembered as one of the club’s greatest ever players.

LONDON - AUGUST 05: Petr Cech of Chelsea organises his defence during the FA Community Shield match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 5, 2007 in London,England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

4. N’Golo Kante - £33.22m from Leicester City

A player that no football fan can hate, N’Golo Kante has been worth his weight in gold to Chelsea following his arrival from Leicester in 2016. The indefatigable French midfielder has produced Man of the Match performances in some of the biggest games in Chelsea’s recent history, including the 2021 Champions League final, and will eventually leave Stamford Bridge as a club legend.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: N'Golo Kante of Chelsea poses with the Premier League Trophy after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 21, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

3. Eden Hazard - £31.5m from Lille

Arguably the most talented player in Chelsea’s history alongside Gianfranco Zola, Eden Hazard was a magician who had fans on the edge of their seats between 2012-2019. The Belgian left west London for Real Madrid with the best wishes of Chelsea’s supporters after seven years of incredible service.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 23, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

2. Ashley Cole - £6.66m (plus William Gallas) from Arsenal

One of the best value-for-money transfers of the Premier League era, Ashley Cole is widely regarded as the greatest full-back in the history of English football.

Following his controversial 2006 move from Arsenal, Cole helped Chelsea win a host of major honours, including the Premier League, four FA Cups, plus the Champions League and Europa League.

COBHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 08: New Chelsea signing Ashley Cole (L) and manager Jose Mourinho pose for photos before a press conference at the Chelsea training ground on September 8, 2006 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

1. Didier Drogba - £34.65m from Marseille

But narrowly pipping Cole to top spot is, of course, the main man himself: Didier Drogba.

Without the Ivorian striker, it’s safe to assume that Chelsea wouldn’t have won the 2011-12 Champions League. It was his famous header that forced extra-time against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. He then stepped up to convert the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.

Drogba enjoyed two successful spells with Chelsea and scored a total of 164 goals for the club.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates as he scores their second goal during the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Chelsea's 10 worst signings under Roman Abramovich

Dishonourable mentions: Khalid Boulahrouz - £11.88m from Hamburger SV, Marko Marin - £7.2m from Werder Bremen, Radamel Falcao - £6.3m (loan fee) from AS Monaco, Mateja Kezman - £6.7m from PSV Eindhoven, Adrian Mutu - £17.1m from Parma, Juan Sebastian Veron - £19.62m from Manchester United, Davide Zappacosta - £22.5m from Torino. Michy Batshuayi - £35.1m from Marseille.

10. Franco Di Santo - £4.05m from Audax Italiano

Some South Americans move to Europe too early in their careers and end up paying a heavy price. Franco Di Santo is one of them.

The Argentine striker failed to score a single goal in 16 appearances for Chelsea.

LONDON - NOVEMBER 12: Franco Di Santo of Chelsea in action during the Carling Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on November 12, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

9. Andriy Shevchenko - £39.49m from AC Milan

Andriy Shevchenko is one of the greatest strikers of his generation; however, the Ukrainian unfortunately struggled at Chelsea. Premier League fans expected fireworks from the world-class centre-forward but instead saw a shadow of the player who lit up Serie A and the Champions League with AC Milan.

Andriy Shevchenko reacts for Chelsea.

LONDON - SEPTEMBER 18: Andriy Shevchenko of Chelsea looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Chelsea and Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge on September 18, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

8. Juan Cuadrado - £27.9m from Fiorentina

Another player who shone in Italy but flopped in England, Juan Cuadrado only played 15 times for Chelsea following his 2015 move from Fiorentina.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Juan Cuadrado of Chelsea looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on February 11, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

7. Danny Drinkwater - £34.11m from Leicester City

While Kante went from strength to strength after leaving Leicester, it was sadly a different story for his teammate Danny Drinkwater, who struggled to make the step up after Chelsea signed him in 2017.

Still on Chelsea’s books, Drinkwater has spent time on loan at Burnley, Aston Villa, Kasimpasa and Reading in recent seasons.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Danny Drinkwater of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on December 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

6. Fernando Torres - £52.65m from Liverpool

Fernando Torres is seen as one of the worst value-for-money signings in Premier League history and deservedly so, but he only makes sixth place on our list.

The former Liverpool star, who was sensationally good at Anfield, only managed to score 45 goals in 172 games for Chelsea. However, he still left Stamford Bridge with FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League winners’ medals. The Spaniard also scored *that* goal against Barcelona en route to the 2011-12 Champions League final.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Fernando Torres of Chelsea looks thoughtful during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on February 6, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

5. Tiemoue Bakayoko - £36m from AS Monaco

Chelsea fans thought they’d struck gold when the club announced the signing of talented midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko in 2017. But for one reason or another, the one-time France international struggled badly in the Premier League and has since spent time out on loan at several different clubs including AC Milan and Napoli.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Tiemoue Bakayoko of Chelsea reacts to a tackle on Richarlison de Andrade of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on February 5, 2018 in Watford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

4. Alvaro Morata - £59.4m from Real Madrid 

Like Torres, big things were expected from Spanish striker Alvaro Morata after his big-money move to Chelsea but he failed to deliver on the pitch.

Morata netted a disappointing 24 goals in 72 games for the Blues and missed a host of gilt-edged opportunities along the way.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Alvaro Morata of Chelsea celebrates his team's 4-0 victory and his hat trick with the match ball after the Premier League match between Stoke City and Chelsea at Bet365 Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

3. Baba Rahman - £23.4m from Augsburg

Signed to bolster Chelsea’s Premier League-winning squad in the summer of 2015, Baba Rahman made 23 appearances for the Blues that season and has since spent time on loan at Schalke, Reims, Mallorca, PAOK and Reading. 

SWANSEA, WALES - APRIL 09: Baba Rahman of during the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Chelsea at Liberty Stadium on April 9, 2016 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

2. Papy Djilobodji - £3.15m from Nantes

It soon became apparent that Papy Djilobodji was nowhere near good enough to play for Chelsea. The day after he joined the Blues in 2015, the Senegal international was left out of the club’s 25-man Champions League squad. 

His only competitive appearance for the Premier League side came against Walsall in the League Cup.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - JULY 16: Papy Djilobodji of Chelsea in action during an friendly match between SK Rapid Vienna and Chelsea F.C. at Allianz Stadion on July 16, 2016 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images)

1. Kepa Arrizabalaga - £72m from Athletic Bilbao

Still the most expensive goalkeeper of all time, Kepa Arrizabalaga probably wasn’t worth half what Chelsea paid for the Spaniard. Frank Lampard’s decision to replace the big-money Spain international with the exceptional Edouard Mendy was a masterstroke.

Kepa famously refused to be substituted during the 2019 League Cup final against Manchester City. Three years later, in the final of the same competition, he failed to save any of Liverpool’s 11 spot-kicks before blazing the decisive penalty over the crossbar after Thomas Tuchel sent him on specifically for the shootout.

A move away from Chelsea in the near future now looks inevitable.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Chelsea FC at Bramall Lane on July 11, 2020 in Sheffield, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images)