Where are they now? The Chelsea XI that defeated Manchester United 5-4

There is nothing we love more here at Shoot! than a bit of football trivia, that otherwise meaningless information that, come quiz night, suddenly becomes invaluable.

One goldmine of such facts is the archives of teams gone by, whether that be an iconic XI, or a squad of predicted future heroes. As the years go on, however, such sides are confined to the history books, but wouldn’t you love to know where they are now?

On Sunday, Chelsea host Manchester United to wrap up this weekend’s Premier League action. This will be the first time Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge after being sacked by the Blues last December.

A win for either side is expected to launch them into the top-flight’s top four.

So; ahead of this Sunday’s clash, Shoot! look back at Chelsea’s stunning 5-4 victory over Manchester United during their Capital One Cup fourth round thriller at Stamford Bridge on October 31, 2012, and ask ‘Where are they now?’…

Petr Cech

The super shot stopper left Stamford Bridge in June 2015 for Premier League rivals Arsenal, where he still produces stunning saves, after joining for a bargain £10m fee.

The 34-year-old was Chelsea’s highest overseas appearance maker of all-time and holds the club record for most clean sheets after recording an impressive 228 shutouts in 494 appearances.

Many fans were disappointed to see the Czech Republic star leave Stamford Bridge last year, after losing his first-team spot to Thibaut Courtois, who has now established himself as Chelsea’s number one ‘keeper.

David Luiz

The crazy centre-half also departed Chelsea, joining Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain in June 2014 for a world record £50m fee for a defender.

However, the Brazil international has recently returned to Stamford Bridge after sealing his £34m U-turn during the previous summer transfer window, where he has since become part of new boss Antonio Conte’s first-team plans and has made five appearances in all competitions.

Gary Cahill

A loyal servant. The centre-half has been an ever present figure in Chelsea’s first-team picture since joining the club from Bolton Wanderers back in January 2012 for a reported £7m.

And that £7m proved well spent, as the England international has since racked up over 200 appearances for club and 50 caps for his country, becoming a key central defensive partner for captain and legend, John Terry, over the years.

Cesar Azpilicueta

Another defender that joined the Blues in 2012, but more shortly before their entertaining 5-4 victory over Manchester United, was Spaniard Azpilicueta.

The 27-year-old arrived in London from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille in August that year, for another measly £7m.

In fact, Azpilicueta’s performance against United in this Capital One Cup win was only his fourth appearance for the club.

Since then, the full-back has scored four goals and provided 21 assists in 190 appearances for Chelsea,

Ryan Bertrand

Only the second player not to still be at the club nearly four years later is left-back, Bertrand.

The 27-year-old decided to switch Blue for Red in the shirt of Southampton, joining the Saints on a permanent deal in February 2015, after enduring a bucket load of loan spells away from Stamford Bridge with seven different clubs.

However, after impressing at St Mary’s Stadium, and realising his first-team opportunities at Chelsea would still be limited, Bertrand sealed his future with the south coast outfit, where he has since racked up 77 appearances for Southampton and 10 international caps for England.

Oriol Romeu

Joining Bertrand at Saints is defensive midfielder, Romeu.

Having started his career at La Liga giants Barcelona, the 25-year-old joined Chelsea in July 2011, where he went on to score one goal in just 33 first-team games for the Blues until August 2015.

After several loan spells away from Stamford Bridge, at Valencia and Stuttgart respectively, Romeu opted for the Saints last summer, penning a three-year deal following his £5m switch.

So far this campaign, the Spaniard has appeared in all of Southampton’s Premier League and Europa League fixtures.

Juan Mata

The only ‘Juan’ still being managed by ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, as we speak. Sorry about the pun! We couldn’t resist…

Alongside the ‘Special One’, midfielder Mata will also be returning to his old stomping ground, having been sold by Mourinho back in January 2014 for a then club-record fee of £37.1m to Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Having won the Champions League, the Europa League and the FA Cup with Chelsea, the Spain international has only tasted FA Cup and FA Community Shield success with the Red Devils.

John Obi Mikel

Only the third player to still be at Stamford Bridge four years on.

The 29-year-old, who almost joined Sunday’s opponents Manchester United back in 2005, in fact joined the Blues a year later in the summer of 2016 after FIFA had to investigate the Red Devils’ pursuit of the then highly-rated midfielder.

Mikel, who has been at the club for over a decade now, has scored six goals and provided 13 assists in 372 appearances to date.

Victor Moses

Perhaps the most surprising player to still be at Stamford Bridge, Moses.

In August 2012, Chelsea bought the winger from Wigan Athletic for a reported £9m, although he seemingly failed to nail down a first-team spot, being sent out on loan to the likes of Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United in consecutive campaigns.

However, under Antonio Conte’s reign this term, Moses has found the back of the net three times in nine games in all competitions so far, scoring in Chelsea’s latest league win over defending champions Leicester City last weekend.

Lucas Piazon

The last player to still be on the books of Chelsea, but only just!

The 22-year-old forward is currently enjoying his fifth loan spell away from Stamford Bridge at Championship side Fulham this season.

Piazon, who began his senior career with the Blues, is impressing at Craven Cottage, scoring twice in five appearances so far this term.

However; in regards to his Chelsea career, it looks rather unconvincing having featured just three times for the first-team since his debut back in September 2012

Daniel Sturridge

And last, but not least, former striker Sturridge. Yes, former.

The 27-year-old lasted only a couple of more months with the Blues after this fixture, sealing a reported £12m move to Premier League rivals Liverpool in January 2013.

Since then, the England international has achieved an impressive goalscoring record with the Anfield outfit, netting 56 times in 100 appearances in all competitions.

However, so far this term, Sturridge has failed to find the back of the net in the Premier League for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.