No English team won more trophies this season than Chelsea. Reaching a major final for the sixth successive season set a new club milestone, as did three FA Cup finals in a row. Overall, the Blues appeared in a record four prize-deciders this term, though a third defeat in a row in the FA Cup was an unwelcome first.

Only six of the past 20 campaigns have failed to add to the Blues’ trophy cabinet (2019/20, 2015/16, 2013/14, 2010/11, 2007/08 and 2002/03), and in two of those (2019/20 and 2007/08) we were beaten finalists.

By beating Chesterfield in the opening fixture of our FA Cup campaign, Chelsea extended the competition record to 24 round three ties unbeaten. Outside of finals the Blues have lost just once in the competition since 2016. Reaching this season’s showpiece made it 28 appearances at the new Wembley, eight more than next most regular club Man City.

Paying the penalty

Going deep into every cup competition this season produced six periods of extra-time, the most in our history. (Two seasons, 1997/98 and 2011/12, involved four.)

The Blues were also involved in five penalty shoot-outs, with Toni Rudiger netting what proved the winning spot-kick in the Super Cup, and Reece James twice delivering the coup de grace in the League Cup.

London is Blue

Chelsea finished the season as London’s leading lights for the fourth time in a row, the 15th in 17 seasons, and the 25th occasion since 1907/08.

By beating Brentford on our first visit to their new ground, the Blues became the first team in the top-four tiers of English football to win seven consecutive away London derbies, conceding once in those games.

Close calls

The video assistant referee overruled on-pitch officials 11 times in eight Chelsea matches this season. Three led to goals for the Blues, and two for opponents, while three were scrubbed out for us and none for the opposition. Two Chelsea players were dismissed as a result of interventions.

(Source: ESPN)

Remarkably, all bar one of our 12 victories against clubs in the top 14 of the table were achieved with a clean sheet for Edou Mendy or Kepa Arrizabalaga. There were nine shut-outs in our 12 away wins, but just six in nine at home.

Changing hands

The ownership of Chelsea FC has now passed on to the investment group led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

The fee involved shows how the club’s fortunes have fluctuated over 117 years. Kickstarted with £5,000 capital investment on 10 March 1905 (roughly equivalent to half a million pounds today), Chelsea were stewarded over seven decades largely by the Mears, Cadogan and Pratt families, then sold, deep in debt, for just £1 to Ken Bates on 2 April 1982. Bates’ tenure lasted 21 years until the reported £140 million purchase by Roman Abramovich on 1 July 2003.

Each successive custodian has helped increase the silverware in the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet exponentially. Now comes the sensational next chapter in the story of this enigmatic, maddening, exhilarating sporting institution. Buckle up: it will be a thrilling ride.

Chelsea honours 2003-2022

Men

5 Premier League5 FA Cup3 League Cup2 UEFA Champions League2 UEFA Europa League1 FIFA Club World Cup1 UEFA Super Cup2 Community Shield

Women

6 League4 FA Cup2 League Cup1 Community Shield