Chelsea’s opposing fans used to sing, “You won the league in black and white,” to remind Blues fans how far removed they were from their glory days. But in the last decade, under the ownership of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Chelsea has firmly established itself among the cream of English and European soccer. The West London club has finished in the top two five times in the last seven years, winning the league title twice, and have qualified for the Champions League semifinals in each of the last three seasons.
Quick Facts
- Founded: 1905
- Home Ground (Capacity): Stamford Bridge (41,841)
- Nicknames: The Blues
- Home Colors: Blue with white trim
- Top Goalscorer All-Time: Bobby Tambling (202 from 1959–70)
- First Division/Premier League Titles: 1954–55, 2004–05, 2005–06
- F.A. Cup Titles: 1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009
- European Cup/Champions League: None
The Team
- Current Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
- Top Goalscorer 2008-2009: Nicolas Anelka (25 in all competitions)
- Captain: John Terry
- 2008-2009 League Finish: 3rd
A Little History
After modest success and the club’s only league title in the 1950s and 1960s, Chelsea undertook an ambitious plan to turn Stamford Bridge into a 60,000-seat stadium. But combined with the world financial crisis of the 1970s, those plans nearly bankrupted the club, keeping the club down for two decades.
The revival began in the mid-1990s with the arrival of Dutch superstar Ruud Gullit, Italian player-manager Gianluca Vialli, and the brilliant playmaker Gianfranco Zola. That era culminated with two F.A. Cup victories in 1997 and 2000.
But with the club again in financial trouble in 2003, the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich swooped in, instantly making Chelsea one of the richest clubs on the planet. And after he brought in the Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho in 2004, the success followed.
Mourinho left the club in September 2007 and Chelsea has not been able to build any continuity since then. Three managers have come and gone, with only Guus Hiddink bringing home a trophy, and now the club is counting on former A.C. Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti.