The Pride of London
Fansided

Four traits that characterized Roman Abramovich’s time at Chelsea

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 12: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy following victory in the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 Final match between Chelsea and Palmeiras at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on February 12, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 12: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy following victory in the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 Final match between Chelsea and Palmeiras at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on February 12, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /
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LONDON – AUGUST 24: Manager of Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, (L) with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (C) before the Barclays Premiership match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on August 24, 2004 in London. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
LONDON – AUGUST 24: Manager of Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, (L) with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (C) before the Barclays Premiership match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on August 24, 2004 in London. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images) /

3. Milestones, broken records and Jose Mourinho

Chelsea broke and set countless records under the ownership of Abramovich. One of the key appointments of the Russian was that of the aforementioned Special One, Mourinho. The Portuguese manager has won the joint-second most league titles (3) in the Premier League era, and he was only Chelsea manager for four full seasons, getting sacked in the third seasons of both his first and second tenures.

Here are just some of the records set by Chelsea under the guidance of Mourinho:

Jose Mourinho

  • Joint-second most Premier League titles (3)
  • First Portuguese manager to win the Premier League
  • Won Chelsea the league title for the first time in 50 years
  • Best head-to-head record against Sir Alex Ferguson
  • Best head-to-head record against Arsene Wenger
  • Most wins in a Premier League season (29, broken by Conte and Guardiola)
  • Fewest goals conceded in a Premier League season (15)
  • Most clean sheets in a Premier League season (25)
  • Fewest goals conceded from open play (9)
  • Back-to-back league titles, first since Alex Ferguson

Chelsea

  • Most goals by a team in a Premier League season (broken by Guardiola)
  • Most wins in a league season (30, broken by Guardiola)
  • Most goals by a defender in Premier League history (40, Terry)
  • Most clean sheets in the Premier League era (Cech)
  • Most goals by a non-striker in Premier League history (177, Lampard)
  • Most goals by a Chelsea player in all competitions, all time (211, Lampard)

The Mourinho-led 2004/05 title-winning team was one penalty kick away from equaling Arsenal’s unbeaten, invincible season. Mourinho also accounts for three out of Chelsea’s five Premier league titles. He also won the league back-to-back, doing so for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United. He created an impressive head-to-head record with prominent managers in the Premier League like Ferguson and Wenger. Mourinho even went on to ruin Wenger’s 1000th game milestone celebration by thrashing Wenger’s Arsenal 6-0. Overall, Abramovich’s hiring on the Special One went on to be one of the best decisions he ever made during his 19 years.

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