How players Chelsea have previously re-signed got on as Blues close in on £50m Nathan Ake transfer
NATHAN AKE is edging closer to becoming the latest player Chelsea have re-signed. The defender is in advanced talks to move from Manchester City back to Stamford Bridge.
Nathan Ake is in advanced talks to re-sign for ChelseaCredit: Getty – Contributor
Ake captained Chelsea at youth level before spending five years with the club, later joining Bournemouth.
From there he went to City but the Premier League champions are ready to sell the centre-back to their rivals.
It would see Ake become the newest player to make a Chelsea comeback, as SunSport runs down some famous other examples.
Romelu Lukaku
If Ake is to return, he is unlikely to ever play alongside Lukaku again, who was with the Dutchman during his first spell.
The Belgian was with Chelsea from 2011-2014 before leaving for stints at Everton, Manchester United and Inter Milan.
But he re-joined the Blues last season from Inter in a £97.5m move which has turned out to be a disaster.
Lukaku has since gone back to Inter on loan, with his Chelsea future very much in doubt.
Chelsea first signed Romelu Lukaku in 2011Credit: AP:Associated Press
Romelu Lukaku left for Inter Milan on loan this summerCredit: Alamy
David Luiz
The Brazilian signed from Benfica in 2011 and in his first three years won the FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea.
But PSG came knocking and prised Luiz away from London, but only for two seasons.
The centre-half re-signed for Chelsea under Antonio Conte, which sparked three more years with the club.
He won the Premier League as well as another FA Cup and Europa League medal before joining Arsenal in 2019. Luiz is now with Flamengo.
Chelsea first signed David Luiz from Benfica in 2011Credit: Graham Hughes – The Times
David Luiz left for Arsenal in 2019Credit: Reuters
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Nemanja Matic
Matic joined as a little-known midfielder in 2009 and left with equally less impact in 2011.
But after joining Benfica, the Serbian proved himself and convinced Jose Mourinho to bring him back to the Bridge.
Matic won two league titles and an FA Cup with Chelsea before departing once more to play for Manchester United in 2017.
He left United at the end of last season and has again linked up with Mourinho, this time in Rome.
Nemanja Matic first left Chelsea in 2011Credit: PA:Empics Sport
Nemanja Matic left Chelsea for Manchester United in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association
Didier Drogba
Drogba established himself as a Chelsea icon during his eight years with the club, which started in 2004.
Three Premier League and four FA Cup winners medals were topped only by lifting the Champions League trophy in 2012.
But his winning penalty did not turn out to be his last Chelsea kick as Drogba re-signed in 2014 for a year, winning one more league title.
The Ivorian, who left with 164 goals, joined Montreal Impact and then Phoenix Rising, where he would retire in 2018.
Chelsea first signed Didier Drogba in 2004Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
Didier Drogba left Chelsea in 2015 for a second timeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Graeme Le Saux
Le Saux started his career at Chelsea in 1989 but after four seasons he moved to Blackburn Rovers, winning the Premier League in 1995.
The Blues would then re-sign him two years later and the left-back enjoyed six more seasons in the capital.
A League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup were among the highlights for Le Saux, who left for Southampton in 2003.
The defender later retired in 2005.
Graeme Le Saux re-signed for Chelsea in 1997Credit: PA:Press Association
The left-back left Chelsea for a second time in 2003Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More