In June 1998, Ferrer signed with Chelsea for £2.2 million. He quickly established himself in the side, helping them qualify for their first ever Champions League in his debut campaign; his new club won the FA Cup the following year (but he missed the final through injury) and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League; during the run in the latter he played in 14 of 16 games, and scored his only goal in a 2–0 win over Hertha BSC.