Four traits that characterized Roman Abramovich’s time at Chelsea

4. Trophies and conquering club football

Chelsea has won a ridiculous 19 major trophies in as many years during the Russian billionaire’s watch as owner. These include two UEFA Champions League trophies, two UEFA Europa League titles, five Premier League titles, five FA Cup titles and three League Cup titles. In addition, the Blues added the  UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup titles to their trophy case under Abramovich earlier this season. This makes Chelsea one of only six clubs to have won all trophies available at club level. The Blues have won more trophies that any other English club since the Russian took over. Many have accused Chelsea of ruining football and buying trophies, an accusation that Chelsea fans proudly wear like a badge of honour.

Chelsea was a good side when Abramovich took over, but the Blues did not become a European powerhouse until he transformed them. It’s easy to link Chelsea’s success to just spending money, but as it has shown in the last few years, spending money alone guarantees nothing. Man United has spent more money than the Blues in the last four years, and it doesn’t even have a single trophy to show for its financial efforts. Perhaps most importantly, Abramovich created a structure that enabled the Blues to be self-sustainable and run seamlessly, even without his presence. Abramovich has been unable to get into England over the last few years due to an issue with his visa, but Chelsea did not skip a beat during that time. Instead, the Blues just kept being the ruthless and efficient, resilient and trophy-winning side they’ve always been under the care of Abramovich’s right hand woman, Director Marina Granovskaia.

Abramovich may be well on his way to selling Chelsea as soon as a few days from now. Although it may not be Abramovich’s Chelsea for much longer, the club is where it is today because of his efforts. The Russian will always be one of the undisputed best owners in English football’s rich history due to the success he brought to west London. Chelsea fans only need to look around the capital to see clubs that are owned by billionaires that couldn’t care less how their clubs did—not Chelsea, not Abramovich. All of that just goes to show the depth of the impact made by Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich.

What are some of the defining characteristics you remember from Abramovich’s time as owner? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!