Cudicini became a big fans' favourite during his nine years as a Blues player before going on to hold a number of roles at the club following his retirement.

The former AC Milan shot-stopper had helped Chelsea establish ourselves as a top four club prior to the start of the 2004/05 season, with fourth and then second-place finishes in the Premier League.

The arrival of Petr Cech in the summer of 2004 meant first team opportunities became harder to come by but Cudicini continued to be a key member of a squad who would go on to win Chelsea's first Premier League title with the record number of clean sheets (24) and fewest goals conceded (15) - records many believe will never be broken.

Monday (March 9 2025) marked the 120th anniversary of the creation of Chelsea Football Club so what better time to reflect on a truly remarkable campaign that will live long in the memories of players and fans alike.

The summer of 2004 saw the arrival of Jose Mourinho. What did you think of Jose when he arrived, especially after that famous first press conference?

‘He obviously came across as a very confident guy. Personally, I have always learned that until you have got to know that person face-to-face it is harsh to make a judgement.

‘The impact he had on the team from day one was huge. Straight away he tried to instil a winning mentality. His arrogance – in a nice way – was to be arrogant towards the opposition and recognise how strong we were.

‘That was the most important bit but also it was the way he would prepare things. His training sessions were completely different to Claudio Ranieri, the preparations for the games, the slides, the meetings before the matches, it was all a breath of fresh air.

‘From the pre-season in LA, you could see there was one way and that was the winning way, there was no doubt.’

Did players enjoy playing under Mourinho?

‘Yeah. There were no long runs, it was a different type of preparation in pre-season. There were a lot of games and ball work and I am sure as a player you enjoy that more than anything else. As goalkeepers, it doesn’t change much in terms of training but for the outfield players there was a big difference.’

What were the main differences Mourinho made following his arrival?

‘The change in mentality, the different approach to the training sessions – where it always involved the balls – the meetings, even the graphics he would show in meetings – it was all new and all very much welcomed by us players.

‘After that, you had to get results and we did so straight away, which was a huge help in terms of the confidence of the team and the trust in the manager.’

Petr Cech arrived in the summer of 2004. What was that like for you personally, having been the No.1 but then the club signed a highly-rated goalkeeper?

‘The fact the club brought another goalkeeper was just competition. It was not as if I was against or afraid of it, but I had a difficult pre-season. There was a long gap between the end of the previous season and the start of the new one because of the Euros so we had about six weeks off, then I had a physical problem in pre-season and when we arrived at the first game, the manager chose Petr.

‘I was not the happiest man on earth, as you could imagine, but I have always been a team player and I tried to show my upset and my disappointment on the pitch by training hard every day and trying to put doubt in the coaches mind when it came to selection.

‘But Petr had an unbelievable season. We conceded something like 15 goals and have the Premier League record for clean sheets, so there was not a lot I could do.

‘The manager did trust me, he gave me opportunities in the FA Cup and things like that. It wasn’t my luckiest season though as even when I played against Newcastle, I got sent off and it was the game before the final of the League Cup when I was meant to play.

‘But regardless of that, it was a very successful season as a team and that is the most important thing.’

What was your relationship with Petr like? Did you guys get on well?

‘Initially, we didn’t know each other but I had been around long enough to know that goalkeepers work as a group and it was a very competitive environment, which the manager would have wanted. I pushed Petr really hard and in a way that probably helped push him to give his best and be excellent for the team.

‘Over the years, we got to know each other much better. We became very good friends, and it is a friendship which is still there now. We get on really well.’

What were those early months of the season like? Could you tell there was a sense of momentum building?

‘Without a doubt. There is nothing better than getting results when you have a new manager, with new ideas, and a very strong winning mentality. We had a great start and we carried that on and created good momentum over the Christmas time and then suddenly you start believing it is going to happen.

‘Don’t forget the year before we finished second and the season before that we were fourth so we had got close but not close enough to win it. So there was a great desire to get to the finish line.

‘That season, with that momentum and the second half of the season, we just knew we were going to win each game and it was a rolling effect which went into every match.

‘Past Christmas, the team was just flying and the confidence was really high. We were almost unstoppable.’

You mentioned it was maybe not the best season personally on the pitch but was it still a special season for you?

‘I had won a title with AC Milan but because of the importance of this first Premier League win for Chelsea, it was an unbelievable achievement. After 50 years, there were so many people who had been working for the club for so long that were able to celebrate that achievement and it was more for them.

'There were people working for the club for a long time and seeing them able to enjoy themselves after winning the title after so many years, it was in appreciation for them, without a doubt, and a great achievement for the team.’

Where does this achievement rank in terms of your career achievements?

‘Obviously, it ranks very high. Although I wasn’t on the pitch as much as I would have wanted, you are still a part of the team and they're pushing your team-mates every day in training, motivating the players in the dressing room before matches or after games which maybe didn’t go your way.

‘For sure, bringing the title back to Stamford Bridge after 50 years was one of my proudest moments.’

How special was that 2004/05 team? You have played in so many great teams, where did that one rank?

‘It would be unfair to say one team was better than another but it was a special time. The spine of that team, with Petr, JT, Frank and Didier, had unbelievable players around them too. That generation and team that went back-to-back were an amazing team that proved to be a winning team.’

Carlo is one of many players who are set to line up for Chelsea Legends versus Liverpool Legends on Saturday 22 March.

The game at Anfield will raise funds for the Chelsea Foundation and in particular, the Chelsea Players' Trust, which supports the welfare of those who made the club what it is today. Tickets for the match are on sale now.