Chelsea's most successful period was when billionaire Roman Abramovich owned the club. Abramovich used his wealth to attract the best playing and managerial talent to Stamford Bridge.
The result was unprecedented glory, including multiple Premier League titles and European trophies. That is not to say that there had never been good periods before in Chelsea history, but the scale of success under Abramovich was new.
Now that this era has passed, it is worth looking back.
The Abramovich Era: Key Seasons
2004 - 2005
When new manager Jose Mourinho announced at his first press conference that he was “a special one,” it seemed clear things were changing for Chelsea. The club had never been considered a top side before.
It had only a single title success and was viewed as a mid-table ‘cup team.’ That is similar to where Chelsea finds itself in 2024, as they are an outside bet for the Premier League at sites offering a sports bet.
Things were different in 2004 as Mourinho assembled a formidable team. He inherited great players like defender John Terry and midfielder Frank Lampard, who he built his team around.
New additions included defenders Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho and striker Didier Drogba. Chelsea won the league by 12 points, and its defense conceded just 15 goals.
2005 - 2006
Chelsea began this season like a train and redefined how sides approached league campaigns. Before this, it was typical for successful sides to start slowly and build momentum during the second half of the season.
Chelsea began with nine straight wins, though, and blew the opposition away. However, there was some disappointment outside the league, with an early Champions League loss.
2006 - 2007
The Mourinho era began to unravel this season after the signing of star striker Andriy Shevchenko. Abramovich imposed him on the manager, and Mourinho struggled to fit him into his well-drilled system.
Chelsea also lost their title crown to a resurgent Manchester United. The season did see the arrival of brilliant left-back Ashley Cole, though, and Drogba continued to excel, scoring 20 league goals.
2007 - 2008
This was a crisis season, as Mourinho left in September following a poor start. The unknown Avram Grant replaced him, and the club struggled to overcome Manchester United. They reached the Champions League final but lost to United and failed to win a single trophy, leading to Grant being sacked.
2009 - 2010
Following another crisis-ridden season and managerial sacking, Chelsea bounced back in 2010 by reclaiming the league. They were now managed by Carlo Ancelotti and set many records during another great Abramovich season.
These included the highest number of goals and the most home goals scored. Ancelotti’s side was more expansive and attacking, with Lampard and Drogba both enjoying great success in front of goal. Lampard also grabbed the winner in the FA Cup final.
2011 - 2012
Perhaps the strangest season for the club during this era was in 2011-12. It combined crisis and glory as new manager Andre Villas-Boas was sacked in March and replaced with Roberto Di Matteo.
He then exceeded all expectations by finally winning the Champions League. Lampard was again the top scorer, with 16 goals.
2014 - 2015
Chelsea then entered another slump period as Abramovich's reputation for sacking managers grew. They did not start to rise again until 2015, when they won another Premier League title, having brought Jose Mourinho back as manager.
He harnessed the power of striker Diego Costa, another of the memorable players to grace the club during the Abramovich era. The previous season had also been memorable in some ways, as Chelsea helped to end Liverpool’s title hopes at Anfield.
This season saw Lampard and Cole leave Chelsea after glittering careers with the club.
2016 - 2017
The glory of Mourinho’s return was short-lived, and by halfway through the following season, he had been sacked. 2015-16 was a rough season for the defending champions, but they recovered under Antonio Conte's management the following season.
Diego Costa netted another 20 goals, and new Chelsea stars included top defender N’Golo Kante. Chelsea was strong in all areas and saw off new rivals Manchester City and Tottenham to win the title.
2020 - 2021
The last really memorable Abramovich season started badly under Frank Lampard's management. When he was sacked in January, having spent millions on players like Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, Chelsea was adrift in mid-table.
Then Thomas Tuchel was appointed and led the team back into the top four. What made the season, though, was a second Champions League triumph.
Chelsea under Abramovich was a mixed bag, but most fans would swap it for what has followed since he left.
___
Sports Team History is your ultimate destination to explore the rich heritage and iconic logos of professional sports teams across MLB, MLS, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Premier League, WNBA, UFL, XFL, ABA, AAF, and USFL. Immerse yourself in the captivating tales and memorable moments that have shaped each team's legacy.
But that's not all! At Sports Team History, we believe in celebrating the exceptional talents that have graced the sports world. That's why we're thrilled to announce our upcoming "Greatest Player Poll" where fans like you can cast your votes and have your say in determining the greatest players of all time in various sports.
Our partner site, Sports Logo History, offers a vibrant community of logo enthusiasts who appreciate the evolution of team visual identities. Dive into detailed analysis and discussions surrounding logos representing the teams we love. Stay updated with Sports News History, providing 24/7 sports news coverage to keep you informed and engaged with the latest developments. Lastly, explore the premier sports team marketplace at Sports Store History, where you'll find a wide selection of jerseys, caps, and collectibles to showcase your team spirit. Embark on a journey through time, celebrate team logos, stay informed with the latest news, and discover unique sports memorabilia to enhance your collection. Let Sports Team History fuel your passion for sports.