Chelsea: 5 away days to mark in your calendar for 2021/22 season

Ask any football fan what they’ve missed most over the last year and I am certain the phrase “away days” will come up. For some, it’s just about beers on the bus or tinnies on the train; for others, it’s a chance to visit a new stadium and perhaps even a new city. Whatever the reason, there is simply no denying that there is a special kind of magic in travelling away to watch your team. With fans allowed back on the terrace and with the release of the fixture list, we can finally begin to plan those bi-weekly pilgrimages. This season offers matchups with Chelsea rivals old and new, here are just five you need to pen in the calendar as soon as you can:

1. Tottenham, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (18 September 2021)

Before the Blues take on other London rivals, they have to maneuver an unenviable opening set of away fixtures. Faced first by London rivals Arsenal then a trip to Liverpool in August before returning to the capital in September for a visit to Tottenham. Spurs boast a glamorous new arena, which many Chelsea supporters will not have been able visit yet. Fans have been able to attend this fixture only once before, in December 2019, when the stadium’s record attendance was set. On that day, Chelsea claimed an impressive 2-0 victory, courtesy of a Willian brace. Last season, the Blues once again came out on top over their hated rivals.

Although it may be early in the season, there is no denying that this clash could have huge repercussions down the line. Spurs will probably have a new manager and they may have lost a certain three-time golden boot winner by then, so hopes of a third consecutive away league victory for Chelsea should be high.

Wet your whistle at The Elmhurst

2. Brentford, Brentford Community Stadium (16 October 2021)

There really was no doubt this clash would be on the list. For the first time in history, Chelsea will take on local rivals Brentford in the Premier League and the first meeting comes away from home at the Bees’ swanky new stadium. Truth be told, Brentford’s old home, Griffin Park, offered a slightly more enticing away day. It famously had a pub on every corner, but nevertheless, this should be a key date on every Chelsea supporter’s calendar.

Since 1950, Chelsea and Brentford have met only three times, all of these coming in the last decade. The two most recent clashes saw Chelsea emerge 4-0 victors, but both results came at Stamford Bridge. In the one match played on Brentford soil, the Bees were able to salvage a 2-2 draw, back in 2013 in an FA Cup tie. In its first top flight season since 1947, Brentford will be sure to have strong home support, accompanied by an attractive style of play, giving this all the makings of a cracker.

Wet the whistle at The New Inn

3. Aston Villa, Villa Park (26 December 2021)

This one may raise a few eyebrows and it really makes this list by virtue of it being the Boxing Day fixture. While the two-and-a-half-hour car journey may not be ideal—especially for those who may have drunk a few too many mulled wines the day before—there is a certain joy in the festive fixtures. I think we can all agree that the week between Christmas and New Years is a write-off, so why not watch some footy? The downside is that Chelsea hasn’t won a Boxing Day match-up since 2018. On top of this, it was Villa who got the better of Chelsea in last season’s version of the fixture, claiming a dramatic 2-1 win on the last day of the season, which thankfully didn’t cost the Blues a place in the Champions League. Thus, Chelsea will need to change recent history, or rely on a Christmas miracle, if this is match is to be the party atmosphere.

Wet the whistle at The Witton Arms

4. Leeds United, Elland Road (16 April 2022)

Next on this list is another stadium Blues supporters may not have visited before, at least not for a few years. Leeds United finally clawed its way back into the top flight and its ever-optimistic fans had to watch almost the entirety of their return season on the TV. Luckily, the gates of Elland Road will be wide open by the time Chelsea comes to town next April. Love it or hate it, Leeds’ home is simply iconic with an atmosphere to match.

The match-up also allows for the renewal of an age-old rivalry, which peaked in the latter half of the 20th century when the two sides were at the pinnacle of English football. Characterised by a “Northern grit versus Southern chic” clash of styles, the rivalry was known just as much for its football hooliganism as it was for its importance on the field. Thankfully those days are gone, but the atmosphere is sure to be electric come April. Oh, and did I mention it takes place on Easter? What better way to enjoy a four-day weekend than an Easter holiday trip to Elland Road?

Wet the whistle at The Drysalters

5. Manchester United, Old Trafford (15 May 2022)

Last, but certainly not least, is a mammoth match-up versus Manchester United in Chelsea’s final away game of the campaign. Any top six tie could stake a claim to be in this list, but coming in the penultimate game of the season just makes this one a necessity. Of course, there is no way of predicting so far in advance what the situation will be, but as this season’s second and fourth placed teams respectively, Manchester United and Chelsea will both be hoping to mount a title challenge in 2022. This game could be a genuine decider. One question mark is that in this season’s matchups, not a single goal was scored. With the abundance of attacking talent in each squad, it is hard to believe this trend can continue any longer, so expect a stellar game in the May sun.

Wet the whistle at The Quadrant

Which away day are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!