Andre Villas-Boas is regarded by many as one of the worst Chelsea managers of the Roman Abramovich era. Recruited on the back of Carlo Ancelotti’s brutal dismissal, Villas-Boas arrived at Stamford Bridge with a ‘mini Mourinho’ reputation, having followed in his compatriot and former boss’ footsteps in succeeding at FC Porto.

However, it quickly became apparent that Villas-Boas couldn’t muster the same magic as the ‘Special One’ in west London and was ultimately sacked just nine months into his tenure.

With the Blues on the brink of exiting the Champions League and marooned in fifth place in the Premier League at the time of his dismissal, it’s no wonder that Chelsea fans don’t look back on Villas-Boas’ reign with much joy. But surprisingly, there was an overwhelming positive that came from what most fans would agree is one of the most negative periods to unfold while Abramovich was in the boardroom.

That’s the fact that Chelsea’s recruitment under Villas-Boas was so remarkable that it’s still stunning to look back on all these years later. It seems unlikely that the Blues’ business could have been so eye-catching during what was nothing short of a nine-month nosedive but, believe it or not, Villas-Boas’ time in west London was one populated by superlative signings.

At least, if not superlative in the immediate aftermath of their arrival, certainly superlative when viewed through the wing-mirrors of hindsight. And while it’s impossible for us to know exactly how much of a role Villas-Boas personally had in the acquisitions, that doesn’t make it any less interesting that they all occurred during his stewardship.

However, before we get too carried away with ourselves, you need to know what we’re on about, so be sure to check out every major signing that Chelsea made while Villas-Boas was in charge down below.

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Thibaut Courtois

Current club: Real Madrid

What a way to kick off the list. Not only did Courtois win the FA Cup, League Cup and two Premier League titles with Chelsea further down the line, but the mighty Belgian has also established himself as one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation.

Courtois left Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid in 2018 and now boasts two Champions League titles, the Yashin Trophy, a World Cup Golden Glove award, three La Liga crowns and a top 10 finish in the 2022 Ballon d’Or. Now in his 30s, Courtois will surely go down as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history when he eventually hangs up his gloves.

Oriol Romeu

Current club: Unattached

Neither a great signing nor an inherently bad one, Romeu might not have made a big impression at Chelsea across just 33 outings, but he did go onto establish himself as a Premier League stalwart with seven years at Southampton.

After impressing at Girona, Romeu made the move back to the club where it all began for him: Barcelona. The veteran midfielder signed a three-year contract with the Catalan giants. He spent the 2024-25 season back on loan at Girona, before returning to Barcelona, who decided to terminate the 34-year-old’s contract by mutual consent.

Romelu Lukaku

Current club: Napoli

Lukaku’s return to Chelsea might have gone up in flames, but the reality of the situation remains that the Blues won the race to sign one of the most exciting young strikers in the world back in 2012.

And with over 100 Premier League goals, 89 strikes for Belgium and hero status at Inter Milan and now Napoli, having inspired both clubs to Serie A glory, Lukaku undoubtedly ranks as one of the premier goalscorers of the last decade. He wanted to become a Chelsea legend, but for one reason or another, things never worked out for him in west London.

Juan Mata

Current club: Melbourne Victory

An instant success that Blues fans still reminisce upon with fondness to this day, Mata collected Chelsea’s Player of the Year award in each of his full seasons at the club. He played 135 times and scored 33 goals before joining Manchester United for a then-club record fee of £37.1 million. He spent eight years at the Red Devils before moving onto Galatasaray.

Now 37 years old, the universally-popular Spaniard is currently plying his trade for Melbourne Victory in Australia. If Jose Mourinho hadn’t returned to Chelsea in 2013, it’s very likely that Mata would have spent a lot longer at Stamford Bridge.

Ulises Davila

Current club: Unattached

Ah well, not all of Villas-Boas’ signings could be unadulterated hits with Davila, just 20 years old at the time of his arrival, never making a senior appearance for the Blues. The attacking midfielder has gone on to play for numerous clubs across the globe since departing Chelsea in 2015.

He has played in Mexico with Santos Lugana, India with Delhi Dynamos (now Odisha Football Club) and New Zealand with Wellington Pheonix. He most recently turned out for Australian outfit Macarthur FC but is currently a free agent at the age of 34.

Raul Meireles

Current club: Retired

An underrated buy, this, with Meireles arriving off the back of being named PFA Fans’ Player of the Year at Liverpool and duly making 45 appearances in his only full season for Chelsea, famously scoring in the Champions League quarter-finals. He won the Champions League and FA Cup in his only full season with the Blues.

The Portuguese midfielder spent four years at Fenerbahce before hanging up his boots in 2016.

Sam Hutchinson

Current club: AFC Wimbledon

Re-signed from an early retirement brought about by injury, Hutchinson managed two further senior appearances for his boyhood club before departing in 2014.

Now in his mid-30s, the versatile defender now finds himself at AFC Wimbledon after spells at Nottingham Forest, Vitesse, Pafos, Sheffield Wednesday and Reading.

Kenneth Omeruo

Current club: CFR Cluj

Omeruo might never have pulled on the famous blue jersey in a first-team match, but he’s still enjoyed a successful career. The Nigerian defender joined Romanian outfit CFR Cluj in 2025 following stints with Leganes and Kasimpasa.

He’s been a key player for his country since making his debut in 2013. Omeruo has amassed 69 caps for the Super Eagles at the time of writing and was part of their triumphant Africa Cup of Nations side in the same year he made his first outing.

Gary Cahill

Current club: Retired

Another signing that should not be underestimated. Cahill made the move to Chelsea in 2012 when he joined in a £7 million move from Bolton Wanderers. The English defender ended his Chelsea career seven years later as club captain with almost 300 appearances to his name, winning eight major honours including the Champions League.

He had spells with Crystal Palace and Bournemouth before hanging up his boots in 2022.

Lucas Piazon

Current club: Wieczysta Krakow

A curious swing and a miss with Piazon astonishingly spending nine years on Chelsea’s books despite only actually ever playing three times for the club and missing a penalty in his solitary Premier League outing.

Piazon, 31, now plays for Polish side Wieczysta Krakow following a spells with AVS and Braga in Portugal. He also spent some time on loan at Brazilian side Botafogo.