The story of a man whose love for football, for England and for the love of his life, Margaret, saw him rise from Nazi 'villain' to British hero. Bert Trautmann, the German goalkeeper won over even his harshest opponents by winning the FA Cup Final for Manchester City in 1956 - playing on with a broken neck to secure victory.
The season proved to be another roller coaster ride at the Bridge, but one where new young dynamic talent took to the stage and unquestionably delivered. Epitomised by the sensational and sublime Cole Palmer, who scored 24 goals, provided 13 assists and was absolutely devastating throughout. Marvel once again at his skills as every game is captured here in the Chelsea FC Season Review 2023/24.
The best of the action from over 30 years of FA Cup finals at Wembley Stadium.
Sometimes football can deliver the most stinging surprises, but out of adversity emerge new heroes, new hope and new beginnings. An influx of exciting stars arrived at the Bridge including World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, dazzling Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk, dynamic forward Noni Madueke and a future colossus at the back in Benoit Badashile, alongside fellow French international Wesley Fofana. These prodigious young talents joined the proven winners in the Chelsea squad, ready to create a potent mix for the next chapter in the club's glorious history. The 2022/23 season was not the one Chelsea fans wanted or expected, but the foundations have been laid for a swift return to future glories. Chelsea will be back, and a new era awaits. Containing action from every game of the season in all competitions, and an extended extra feature celebrating Cesar Azpilicueta's half century of appearances for the club.
'Making history, not reliving it.' That has been the mantra by which those at Stamford Bridge have lived and died since Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003. And as the final whistle blew on the final game of the season at the Estádio do Dragão in Portugal, history was made as Chelsea were once again crowned the kings of European football. The intentions of the club were clear from the start of the season, bringing in a host of top-class talent including Timo Werner and Kai Havertz from the Bundesliga, Hakim Ziyech from the Eredivisie, as well as defensive reinforcements in Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell. However all was not going to plan mid-season with inconsistent results and a managerial change suggesting this was going to be no more than a season of transition. But a spectacular turnaround, masterminded by the managerial nous of Thomas Tuchel, led to a top-four Premier League finish, an FA Cup final, and the greatest club prize of them all - the Champions League trophy.
Chelsea finished third in the Premier League last season, albeit a staggering 25 points behind second-placed Liverpool, and started life under a new manager with club legend Frank Lampard taking the reins. With a transfer ban impacting the west Londoners' business, and the Covid-19 pandemic causing unprecedented disruption mid-season, Chelsea finished the domestic season narrowly losing the FA Cup final to Arsenal. Despite the disappointment, a 4th place finish secured on the final day of the Premier League campaign guarantees the Blues will be playing Champions League football in the 2020/21 season.
Led by the masterful Carlo Ancelotti Chelsea FC broke record after record as the club secured a scintillating Premier League and FA Cup Double for the first time in its glorious history. The Blues were simply untouchable as they sealed a memorable title triumph on the last day of the season with an 8-0 thrashing of Wigan, taking their tally for the year to 103 goals - a new Premiership milestone. The season was filled with many magical memories including home and away victories over traditionally the other big three - Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. The FA Cup Final proved the perfect finish to an epic campaign as another Didier Drogba goal sealed a deserved victory against a stubborn Portsmouth to seal a famous Double and leave the fans dancing with delight!
Few will ever forget the 2003/04 season, as Chelsea recorded our second best ever seasonal campaign, propelling ourselves back into the big three of the English League with our second highest finish, and progressing further than ever before in the UEFA Champions League. There may be no trophies to show after a thrilling year, but strong foundations have been laid and there have been fond memories created along the way. It was a season to remembers as Claudio Ranieri prepared his group of international superstars for an attack on all fronts. On home soil, the team recorded the most points we have ever attained in the top-flight, with some fine victories along the way, most notably against arch-rivals Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, whilst in Europe, the 4-0 defeat of Lazio in their own back yard, became the biggest win by any foreign club on Italian turf at that time.
The club completed an historic double, lifting The FA Cup and becoming newly crowned champions of Europe, lifting the coveted Champions League trophy following years of heartbreak, after beating four times winners Bayern Munich at their home ground in one of the most exciting Finals in recent times. A season that promised so much with the appointment of new manager André Villas-Boas looked to be heading towards disappointment as Chelsea's league and European form faltered. However, under Chelsea old boy and club legend Roberto Di Matteo, installed as interim first team coach, the incredible spirit of the club shone through with Chelsea putting together two sensational cup runs which will stay with their fans forever. Every match and every goal from this unforgettable season are covered in this action-packed review.
As Frank Lampard rounded the Bolton keeper and stroked in Chelsea's second goal, the dream had been achieved and the Blue flag was flying high. "Chelsea Barclays Premier League Champions 2005". For the first time in 50 years Chelsea are the English Champions. This is the official story of their fantastic double winning 2004-2005 season. It was the year that José Mourinho's side became the most feared in this country and on the continent. They defeated all comers, in the most successful campaign in the club's history, breaking numerous records along the way. Most points in a campaign, achieved ironically at Old Trafford and surpassing the record held by the home team, and most wins in a Premier League season, quite an achievement! Relive every Premiership game, from the curtain raiser against Manchester United to lifting the League trophy against Charlton.
38 games, 30 wins. Record-breaking Chelsea are the kings of English football once again, Premier League champions for a fifth time. Masterminded by Italian genius Antonio Conte, who wore his heart on his sleeve, kicking every ball, making every tackle and celebrating every goal, the Blues have been reshaped into a formidable force. And the Bridge waved goodbye to a legend. John Terry's emotional farewell brought the curtain down on a fantastic career and a sensational season.
The 2024/25 season marks a new chapter for Chelsea FC under the guidance of a new head coach, Enzo Maresca. After a whirlwind 2023/24 campaign that saw Mauricio Pochettino lead the team to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, Maresca steps in with a fresh vision and a sophisticated possessional game plan. The club has been active in the transfer market, bringing in several new faces to bolster their squad. Notable signings include Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa and Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham, whilst there has also been some departures, with players like Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall, and Hakim Ziyech moving on.
Once more Chelsea finished the season in triumph as they turned Baku blue. The euphoric Europa League victory over Arsenal ensured a 10th major trophy in 10 years. No English side has enjoyed more success in the last decade. It crowned a campaign that witnessed the Blues return to Premier League prominence as they delivered some stunning displays. Maurizio Sarri's side when all the way to Wembley, beating Liverpool and Tottenham before penalties cruelly denied them in the Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City. Cesar Azpilicueta proved the inspirational on-pitch leader of a team that combined the quality and experience of World Cup winners N'Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud with the exciting young talents of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. As ever, Eden Hazard was at his beguiling, brilliant best, reaching a century of goals for the Club.
The 2010/11 season proved a rollercoaster journey for everyone involved at Chelsea FC. The club fought for the greatest honours both domestically and abroad in a thrilling season that ultimately ended in disappointment but not without some unforgettable moments that will be cherished by the players and fans. The season began with a bang. The team started in scintillating fashion winning their first six games with a flurry of goals as they romped to the top of the table. But ultimately, a mid-season slump in form cost the Blues. There was also heartbreak in the Champions League and a penalty loss to Everton in The FA Cup but the manner in which Chelsea pushed Manchester United right to the wire means that the 2011/12 season promises to be a memorable one! Every match and every goal from this season are covered in this action-packed review.
All the goals - everything scored and conceded, all 149 goals. The essential action - the goal line clearances, the saves. Post match reactions - exclusive interviews with the players and manager. The cup run - behind the scenes at Villa Park and The Millennium Stadium. The controversies - full response to our early European exit and erratic premiership form. The analysis - Graeme Le Saux pinpoints the crucial moments with help from Claudio Ranieri.
The 2006/07 season has proved a rollercoaster ride for Chelsea FC and its fans but once again the club emerged triumphant with two more cups to add to the trophy cabinet and many more wonderful memories to savour. For the majority of the season, José Mourinho and his players battled to achieve what no other team had managed in the history of English football - the quadruple! Eventually injuries, which had dogged the side throughout the campaign, and fatigue caught up with them and they had to settle for a cracking double with victory in the Carling Cup and FA Cup. The Blues defeated their arch-rivals Manchester United with a dramatic victory in the first FA Cup at the new Wembley Stadium to complete José Mourinho's collection of medals in English football. This programme is packed with the action, drama and goals from this incredible 2006/07 season. Relive all these wonderful moments time and time again.
In Thomas Tuchel's first full year in charge, the European champions became champions of the world, adding two more trophies to the collection and were sudden-death spot-kicks away from celebrating twice more. Bolstered by the continued emergence of Academy graduates and the returning Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea were a permanent fixture in the Premier League's top four. In the first of the three finals decided by penalty shoot-outs, the UEFA Super Cup was secured in Belfast while Kai Havertz was again the hero as the Blues captured the FIFA Club World Cup. Further silverware was so close, but Chelsea were twice denied by Liverpool. First, in a dramatic 21-goal shoot-out in the final of the Carabao Cup and then agonisingly again in the FA Cup Final. As the Roman Abramovich era at Stamford Bridge came to an end it was still a season of success, but also one of what could have been, although the Blues proved once again we are among the very best.
After an eventful season Chelsea fans were once again able to enjoy the sweet taste of success. Having already won the Champions League and Cup Winners' Cup, Chelsea's Europa League glory this season made them the first English side to join the elite band of clubs who have completed the European treble. Throughout the season Chelsea contested 8 different trophies and played in a record-breaking number of matches (69!). Memorable results included reaching the semi-finals in both the FA Cup and League Cup, as well as clinching an automatic Champions League spot following a tense battle for 3rd place between three London rivals. The 2012/13 season also saw Frank Lampard rewrite club history yet again by surpassing Bobby Tambling and becoming the all-time leading goalscorer with 203 goals; a record that will likely stand for many years to come.
Back at the club he loves and back with the fans who love him, José Mourinho returned to provide a captivating season from beginning to the very end. A squad that included legends Frank Lampard, John Terry and Petr Čech combined with the attacking talent of Eden Hazard, Willian and Oscar formed the nucleus of a terrifically talented team, guided by a tactical mastermind. In the Barclays Premier League, the Blues outplayed and outmanoeuvred their closest rivals in the biggest games, with stunning doubles over Manchester City and Liverpool, and comprehensive victories against Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal. In the UEFA Champions League, a reunion with Didier Drogba followed a dramatic, last gasp win over PSG took Chelsea to the brink of another European final.
The 2007/08 season proved to be a rollercoaster ride full of conflicting emotions for all the players and fans at Chelsea FC. The Blues took the Premier League title to the wire, reached their first-ever UEFA Champions League Final and played at Wembley in the Carling Cup Final but finished without silverware. The season started and finished in a penalty shootout defeat to Manchester United but in between there were many marvellous performances to enjoy including the dramatic win over the same team at Stamford Bridge, the 6-0 thrashing of Manchester City and the sensational win over Liverpool to take the team to Moscow. Off-the-field events were equally dramatic with Jose Mourinho replaced as manager by Avram Grant, who steadied the ship after an unconvincing start to the campaign and helped the club push for honours on all fronts.