To get a true reflection on just how dire this season at Chelsea has been, just think the Blues have been on a 14 game undefeated streak since December and are STILL nowhere near the Champions League places.
After the most awful start to their title defence imaginable, Jose Mourinho famously lost his job at Stamford Bridge despite leading them to league glory just seven months prior.
While interim boss Guus Hiddink has had a positive effect in West London, for the second time in his career, the campaign has slowly faded away and there really is little left to play for.
The capitulation since their coronation has been one of the stories of the season and the subject of much back page inquiry, though it obviously makes grim reading for the Chelsea faithful.
Optimism is abound of course with the news Italy boss Antonio Conte will officially takeover in the summer, but the hard-nosed former Juventus will have one of the club’s worst season in recent memory to put right as one of his first orders of business.
So, what’s made it such a torrid campaign for Chelsea?
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 5 WORST MOMENTS!
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vs Crystal Palace (Home), 29 Aug, Premier League
A 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace was not a befitting celebration of Jose Mourinho’s 100th league game at Stamford Bridge for the Blues.
After a rocky start to the season, a loss to their traditionally much smaller capital counterparts set the tone for much of the rest of the year on a ground where they used to be so clinically dominant.
It was such a bizarre game of football than even Radamel Falcao managed to get himself on the scoresheet. His first and only goal so far since his loan move from Monaco this summer.
vs Porto (Away), 29th Sept, Champions League
Make no mistake about it, Porto are a good team. They wouldn’t be competing in the Champions League on a fairly regular basis if they weren’t. They even won it once, under the tutelage of a certain Jose Mourinho.
However, upon his return to his homeland, the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ watched his then charges entirely outclassed and well beaten by the titans of Portuguese football.
It was a dismal lost and the 2-1 scoreline actually reflects well on Chelsea, who were bested in every aspect.
A night to forget for Branislav Ivanovic.
vs Bournemouth (Home), 5th Dec, Premier League
Seriously, when Chelsea were lifting the Premier League high above their heads back in May, who could ever have envisaged a time when they would lose at home to Bournemouth?
Not to do the Cherries a disservice, they’ve been a joy to watch this year, but even when things were getting tough this season, who’d have thought it?
Glen Murray nabbed a late winner to condemn the Blues to their lowest ebb in years and truly crank up the pressure on Mourinho as his second spell in charge spiralled out of control at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho Sacked – 17th Dec
It had been coming for what seemed like months, but it was still somewhat of a surprise to see confirmation that Jose Mourinho had been sacked mid-way through December.
A 2-1 loss away at Leicester sealed his fate and saw him depart West London, presumably for good this time.
Love him or loathe him, it’s hard to deny that this moment was not one of the worst of the season from a Chelsea perspective. Their greatest ever boss in the modern given his marching orders so soon after leading them to the title for the first time in five years.
Things have got better since, but it was always be a sore point for a large portion of the Blues faithful.
John Terry announces his contract won’t be renewed – 31st Jan
Managers have come and gone in West London since 2003 and the arrival of a certain Russian tycoon, though the Blues have always been able to lean on a strong nucleus of players to guide them through transitional periods.
However, Stamford stalwart John Terry sensationally revealed his deal with the club where he has enjoyed so much success would not be extended upon back in January.
A sad day for all involved at the club, most of whom view their skipper as a legend and one of their best ever players.
What makes it such a bad moment is the fact the 35-year old feasibly could still perform at the top level. In fact, he was excellent and back to his best during the title winning campaign.
A controversial decision and not something the public know a guaranteed outcome about yet, but a dark day in the season no doubt.
