Jesper GRONKJAER

 A winger blessed with blistering pace and the ability to deliver accurate crosses poses a real threat to any defence, so it is fair to say that the speedy Jesper Gronkjaer posed at least half a threat every time he took to the field. But if only he'd been able to cross a ball... Signed from Ajax in December 2000 for the princely sum of £7.8m, the Dane made his debut as a substitute in a 1-1 draw at Arsenal before a stunning first full appearance in an FA Cup tie at Gillingham, where he scored twice in a 4-2 victory. His first Premiership goal came later that week, as his well-struck shot put the seal on a 3-1 win over Newcastle, and when, a fortnight later, he spent 90 minutes mercilessly humiliating Manchester United's Gary Neville to the delight of his new home crowd, it appeared that a wide-man to compete with Chelsea greats such as Charlie Cooke and Pat Nevin was beginning to emerge. Sadly, those early days were to prove something of a smokescreen, and the supporters' initial enthusiasm had been replaced by a feeling that the jury was very much out as the season ended. Jesper's attempts to impress were further hampered by an injury he collected early the following season during a win at White Hart Lane, in which he tormented Tottenham's so-called defender Mauricio Taricco.

Sidelined until the following March, he returned just in time to do it all again, making his first start for six months in a magnificent 4-0 FA Cup victory at Spurs before illuminating a home Premiership fixture against the same opposition - which incredibly was won by the same scoreline - three days later with a scintillating display in which he had Tottenham's Ben Thatcher chasing shadows, one darting run and cross which was converted by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink proving that Jesper's delivery was significantly better when it was done at pace with little time to think about it. However, his frustrating season finished, appropriately, in frustration, with a disappointing FA Cup Final performance against Arsenal. (Kelvin Barker)

 Jesper's 2002/03 season began with the usual inconsistencies and frustrations but suddenly sparked to life in the autumn, and for the final six months of the campaign he reached a level of performance of which the majority of Chelsea supporters doubted he was capable. Combining attacking flair with his usual impressive workrate (in much the same way that every time John Barnes scored with a header - and there were many times that he did - it was reported as a 'rare header by Barnes', so Jesper was always wrongly described by the so-called TV experts as 'somebody not known for his tracking-back'), Jesper became a pivotal player in the Blues' side which would end the season with Champions League qualification assured. A last-minute tap-in at Everton in December helped Chelsea to second-place in the Premiership and a powerful blast at Stoke City capped a 2-0 win in the FA Cup. He also added to his growing reputation with a subtle strike in the late-season home fixture with Everton, which Chelsea won 4-1. However, the goal for which he will always be remembered at Stamford Bridge came three weeks later against the red half of Merseyside. Chelsea met Liverpool on the final day of the season needing at least a point to clinch the vital fourth spot ahead of the Anfield side. With the game poised at 1-1, Jesper having created the Blues' equaliser for Marcel Desailly, he struck a low shot past Jerzy Dudek to relieve the pressure and clinch all three points.

Sadly, Jesper reverted to type throughout his final season, and for all his efforts it was clear that the end product was still wayward. He was an important member of the Chelsea side who reached the Champions League semi-finals. He played a part in the move which ended with Wayne Bridge striking the goal that eliminated Arsenal from the last eight, and was on the mark himself in the semi-final second leg against Monaco although, typically, it was a mis-hit cross that found its way into the net. Incredibly, that was his first goal of the season, but he added to it three days later with a stunning strike in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford that secured second-place for Chelsea ahead of Manchester United. The next game, the last of the 2003/04 season, was Jesper's last for Chelsea and, in true Roy of the Rovers style, he scored again, this time with a diving header which was good enough to beat already-relegated Leeds United. By that time Chelsea had already secured the services of another winger, Arjen Robben, and the writing was on the wall for Gronkjaer. He left Chelsea for Birmingham that summer, joining the Midlanders for £2.2m. (Kelvin Barker)