Chelsea finished sixth in the recently
concluded Premier League season. But how that statistic pales in comparison to
their latest achievement is something that only Roman Abramovich can describe.
That long-coveted piece of silverware which eluded him for eight seasons in a
row – amid a despairing series of events – finally has pride of place in the trophy
cabinet at Stamford Bridge.
Agreed, it might not have been a brand of football that Abramovich has advocated since he took over the club in 2003. In fact, it blatantly veers from 'beautiful' football; a notion that has ushered a revolving door of managers. But after having bank-rolled millions of his pounds over the years into building and rebuilding this Chelsea team, he has finally earned the most prized return on his investments.
Purists may argue that Bayern Munich were the better team on the night while Chelsea merely repelled projectiles and fed on scraps throughout the game. But to those still struggling with the concept of giving Chelsea credit, here's a simple truth: with four key players banned, they won the Champions League in Bayern's own arena. So, enough said about which was the 'better' team.
Ironically, the man so often guilty of falling to ground at the slightest prod was the one to rise the highest and plant a game-changing header into the back of the net. His remarkable aerial prowess was pressed into service even in defence. The architect of numerous cup wins and titles, Didier Drogba can finally stake his claim for greatness and stretch his palm out for that two-year contract.
Agreed, it might not have been a brand of football that Abramovich has advocated since he took over the club in 2003. In fact, it blatantly veers from 'beautiful' football; a notion that has ushered a revolving door of managers. But after having bank-rolled millions of his pounds over the years into building and rebuilding this Chelsea team, he has finally earned the most prized return on his investments.
Purists may argue that Bayern Munich were the better team on the night while Chelsea merely repelled projectiles and fed on scraps throughout the game. But to those still struggling with the concept of giving Chelsea credit, here's a simple truth: with four key players banned, they won the Champions League in Bayern's own arena. So, enough said about which was the 'better' team.
Ironically, the man so often guilty of falling to ground at the slightest prod was the one to rise the highest and plant a game-changing header into the back of the net. His remarkable aerial prowess was pressed into service even in defence. The architect of numerous cup wins and titles, Didier Drogba can finally stake his claim for greatness and stretch his palm out for that two-year contract.
Chelsea's season-ending flourish may not
have existed even as a fragment when Andre Villas-Boas was shown the door after
the successive losses at West Brom and Napoli. For many, it spelt the worst
time in the club's history. But how Roberto Di Matteo has raised them from
their lowest ebb and into the ambit of greatness should have the manager's job
served to him on a gilded platter. Surely!
Not many would have placed their bets on the FA Cup winners. In fact, Chelsea were only two minutes away from yet
another heartbreak when their new-found self belief finally rose to the
occasion. So often awarded with bitter agony having lost out in two last-16
rounds, one quarter-final, three semis, and a final, at long last, glory was written
in the stars. And no team deserved it more.
