Born from a rejection: how Chelsea conquered Europe

A team created by a no

Chelsea's birth is unusual. In 1905 the owner of Stamford Bridge offered the ground to Fulham, and when Fulham said no, he formed his own team. That team was Chelsea. The club has played at the same ground ever since, and Fulham became its neighbours and rivals.

The Special One and the spine of a legend

José Mourinho called himself the Special One at his first press conference in 2004, then gave Chelsea their first Premier League title in his first season. It was the club's first English top-flight title in 50 years. The 15 goals conceded in 38 league games that season remain the Premier League record.

This Chelsea is remembered for its icons. Captain John Terry, in the number 26, was Captain, Leader, Legend. Super Frank Lampard became the club's top scorer with 211 goals, despite being a midfielder. And Petr Čech wore his headgear after a serious head injury in 2006. In 2009–10, Carlo Ancelotti won the club's first league and FA Cup Double in his first season.

2012: the night in Munich

The high point of Chelsea's history is the 2012 Champions League. In the semi-final at Barcelona, Terry was sent off and Chelsea fell 2–0 behind, but a chip from Ramires and a stoppage-time goal from Torres sent them through.

In the final they faced Bayern at Bayern's own ground. Drogba headed the equaliser, and Čech saved Robben's penalty in extra time. Čech stopped two more in the shootout, and Drogba's final kick won Chelsea their first Champions League.

From Hazard to Palmer

Eden Hazard arrived from Lille in 2012 and led Chelsea's attack for seven years. His 2–2 equaliser against Tottenham in 2016 confirmed Leicester as champions, sending Leicester fans wild. In the 2019 Europa League final in Baku, he scored twice in a 4–1 win over Arsenal, then left for Real.

Antonio Conte won the 2016–17 title with a back three. Moving winger Victor Moses to wing-back worked perfectly, and Kanté, signed from Leicester, won the league with two different clubs in two years.

In 2021, Havertz's goal beat Manchester City 1–0 for a second Champions League. Cole Palmer arrived from City in 2023 and quickly became the main man. In 2025, Chelsea scored four second-half goals to beat Real Betis in the Conference League final, then beat PSG 3–0 in the Club World Cup final with two goals and an assist from Palmer.