Let’s delve into the captivating journey of Chelsea Football Club, a name that resonates with a rich legacy in the realm of English soccer.
Chelsea FC has won an impressive total of 36 well-recognized trophies for the men’s first team, both on domestic and international soil.
They accumulated victories in various competitions such as:
- 6 First Division/Premier League titles
- 2 Second Division titles
- 8 FA Cups
- 5 League Cups
- 4 Community Shields
- 2 Full Members’ Cups
- 2 UEFA Champions League titles
- 2 UEFA Europa League titles
- 2 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups
- 2 UEFA Super Cups
- 1 FIFA Club World Cup
Chelsea has had significant achievements both domestically and with multiple notable titles in the greatest competitions in Europe.
In this article, I’ll give you the details and some backstory about each of their trophies and honors that began back in 1954. Let’s get to the trophies!
Domestic Cups
Starting with English soil, Chelsea has had notable success here in most of the major titles/cups, let’s take a look at the domestic shelf.
First Division Premier League Titles
Chelsea FC’s success in the English First Division and Premier League has been mighty, particularly since the start of the millennium, including some incredible games at Stamford Bridge.
These are the seasons that the club won the title:
- 1954/55
- 2004/05
- 2005/06
- 2009/10
- 2014/15
- 2016/17
Chelsea’s first taste of top-tier success came half a century ago in the 1954/55 season under the management of Ted Drake.
It was also the club’s 50th anniversary of being founded, making it a special victory celebrating Chelsea FC’s stature.
In the 2000s, Chelsea began the drive to become title-winning champions of England on multiple occasions.
Legendary manager José Mourinho steered the Blues to their first Premier League title in 50 years, also the 100th anniversary of the club, in the 2004/05 season.
They did it with style, as the squad lost just one game all season and set a new points record with 95 and the record for conceding the least goals in a season with 15.
The following year, Chelsea retained their Premier League title with another win thanks to noteworthy players like Michael Essien and Hernan Crespo. They charmingly sealed the trophy with a 3-0 victory over Manchester United.
In the 2009/10 season, after three years of Manchester United’s dominance, Chelsea reclaimed the Premier League title under the management of Carlo Ancelotti.
It was a season marked with Chelsea’s league and FA Cup Double. The team showcased a remarkable attacking prowess, scoring 103 goals. The highest in the Premier League at the time.
The 2014/15 season saw the return of Mourinho and another Premier League title for Chelsea. With a blend of collective effort, the Blues led the table from start to finish—with help from standout soccer stars like Eden Hazard.
By 2016/17, another manager embraced Chelsea and Antonio Conte shifted the team to a wider 3-4-3 formation that allowed diverse players like N’Golo Kante to shine and resulted in the title being won with two games yet to play.
Chelsea’s runs at the First Division/Premier League titles show a squad that has constantly explored tactical evolution, highlighting standout players so that they might thrive with freedom of play.
Football League Second Division
Chelsea FC has had its moments in the Second Division, needing to secure the title spot for earning promotion twice in their history.
These are the years that the club won it:
- 1983/84
- 1988/89
In the 1983/84 season, Chelsea demonstrated a remarkable comeback under the guidance of John Neal to win the number one spot.
Chelsea’s side showed a significant transformation, especially after finishing in the lower half of the table in the previous season.
Once again the Blues found themselves relegated and needing to win promotion in the 1988/89 season. With Bobby Campbell as head coach, the team secured promotion by a substantial 17-point margin from Manchester City.
Experienced players assisted in pushing the team to a clear conquest in the second tier, such as Graham Roberts and Peter Nicholas.
The two seasons in the Second Division helped Chelsea recognize their downfalls and adjust to rebuild—something the club has achieved on several more occasions throughout the years to come.
FA Cup
Chelsea has had a strong history with the FA Cup, especially in the last 20-30 years, where the club has won the cup 8 times so far.
These are the years that the club won the cup and who they had to defeat in the final:
- 1969/70—def. Leeds United 2-1 after extra time in a replay
- 1996/97—def. Middlesbrough 2-0
- 1999/00—def. Aston Villa 1-0
- 2006/07—def. Manchester United 1-0
- 2008/09—def. Everton 2-1
- 2009/10—def. Portsmouth 1-0
- 2011/12—def. Liverpool 2-1
- 2017/18—def. Manchester United 1-0
In the 1969/70 season, Chelsea obtained their first FA Cup trophy dramatically after a 2-2 draw with Leeds in the final at Wembley, the Blues managed to secure a 2-1 win in the replay at Old Trafford.
A hefty 27 years later, the 1996/97 season saw the cup added to the Blues trophy cabinet again under the management of Ruud Gullit and a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough.
These late ‘90s successes were fundamental in establishing a rhythm of trophy-winning stature for the club, not only in the FA Cup but additional trophies across England.
The most recent 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the 2017/18 season was another triumph to validate the club’s ability to overcome The Red Devils on multiple occasions across several English cups.
Chelsea’s consistency with the FA Cup is undeniable and we’re likely to see them lift the trophy again within the next few years.
Football League Cup
Chelsea’s journey in the Football League Cup, now known as the EFL Cup or Carabao Cup, has seen them lift the trophy on 5 occasions.
These are the years that the club won this competition:
- 1964/65—def. Leicester City 3-2 over two legs
- 1997/98—def. Middlesbrough 2-0 after extra time
- 2004/05—def. Liverpool 3-2 after extra time
- 2006/07—def. Arsenal 2-1
- 2014/15—def. Tottenham Hotspur 2-0
The club’s first victory in this competition came during the 1964/65 season when they managed to edge past Leicester City with a 3-2 scoreline in the first leg and a 0-0 in the second.
Eddie McCreadie’s memorable sixty-yard run, dribbling past several Leicester players before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Gordon Banks, contributed to the dramatic 3-2 win.
A wait of 33 years to the 1997/98 season, Chelsea once again tasted glory in this competition by defeating Middlesbrough 2-0 in the final.
Just the season before, the Blues had won the FA Cup, which continued the club’s vibrance and momentum to winning trophies in the modern game.
A 2004/05 cup win over Liverpool came thanks to an unfortunate own goal from Reds captain Steven Gerrard, and extra-time goals from Didier Drogba and Mateja Kežman sealed the win.
Drogba was successful for the club once again in their 2006/07 cup victory over Arsenal, as he scored a brace and continued his huge contribution to Chelsea’s trophy cabinet.
And more recently, in the 2014/15 season, Chelsea overcame Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to win the cup again with a decisive goal at the end of the first half from captain John Terry, followed by an early second-half goal from Diego Costa.
Their victories in the League Cup alongside others show how determined the team has been during English tournaments.
Community Shield
Chelsea FC has had its share of glory in the FA Charity/Community Shield, having lifted it 4 times.
A competition that kicks off the new soccer season in England, pitting the previous season’s Premier League title holders and FA Cup winners.
Each year Chelsea has won the shield and who they beat were:
- 1955—def. Newcastle United 3-0
- 2000—def. Manchester United 2-0
- 2005—def. Arsenal 2-1
- 2009—def. Manchester United 4-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw
Some 50 years after the founding of Chelsea Football Club, a 1955 victory of the Community Shield was a sweet one as Chelsea scored three past what had been a strong Newcastle side having won the FA Cup in the previous season.
Close to another half-century later, Chelsea faced Premier League winners Manchester United in the 2000 FA Charity Shield.
Despite starting as underdogs, Chelsea, under the management of Gianluca Vialli, comfortably secured a 2-0 win, setting a positive tone for the season.
In 2005, Jose Mourinho led the Blues to another Shield-winning performance against Arsenal in Cardiff. Goals from Didier Drogba were enough to secure a 2-1 win for Chelsea to add to their Premier League title-defending season ahead.
A rematch came about against Manchester United, having beaten them for the Shield 9 years earlier.
After a 2-2 draw in regular time at Wembley, Chelsea emerged victorious in the penalty shootout and cemented their nerves of steel to secure the trophy once again over The Red Devils.
Three Shields in nine years added to a growing collection of a very successful Chelsea Football Club in the new millennium.
Full Members’ Cup
Chelsea was one of the two most successful clubs in this short-lived competition that lasted between 1985-1992. Chelsea snagged this cup twice, joint with Nottingham Forest for the record.
These are the years they won it and who they beat:
- 1985/86—def. Manchester City 5-4
- 1989/90—def. Middlesbrough 1-0
This competition came into existence after English clubs were banned from European tournaments after 1985, involving the Heysel Stadium disaster, to bring more competitive options to teams across both the First and Second Divisions of English soccer.
Chelsea wrangled the cup from Manchester City in the competition’s first year, leading by just one goal in a high-scoring match, winning 5-4.
This thrilling encounter went into the history books for both teams, with Chelsea players like David Speedie netting a hat-trick and Colin Lee adding the goals with a brace.
City’s Mark Lillis also offered a brace with additional goals from his teammates, but it wasn’t enough as the Blues lifted the first Full Members’ Cup.
A few years later in 1990, Chelsea secured the cup again after a tense Wembley match against Middlesbrough where Tony Dorigo’s free-kick goal sealed it and added another trophy to the shelf of this fleeting competition.
Continental Cups
While Chelsea have been most successful on home turf, they’ve also prevailed in prestigious competitions across Europe. Let’s take a look at their continental medals.
UEFA Champions League
Chelsea FC’s journey in the UEFA Champions League showcases a tale of determination and spirit. The club has won this prestigious trophy twice.
Each time they won is listed below:
- 2011/12—def. FC Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalties after extra time in a 1-1 draw
- 2020/21—def. Manchester City 1-0
Chelsea’s path to Champions League glory was nothing short of a rollercoaster.
The 2011/12 season began with Andre Villas-Boas at the helm, managing the team until mid-way through the season.
After several home defeats in the Premier League, Andre demanded an inquest with his players in front of club owner Roman Abramovich, where several senior players verbally doubted his tactics.
This dramatic turn led Villas-Boas to bench several notable players during a Champions League Round 16 knockout match with Napoli, including Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, and Ashley Cole.
The team lost the first leg 3-1 and shortly after Andre Villas-Boas was relieved of managerial duties and Roberto Di Matteo was appointed caretaker manager until the end of the season.
Chelsea’s fortunes seemed to turn with Di Matteo now in charge and a happier Blues squad, defeating Napoli 4-1 in the second leg of their Champions League matchup, followed by victories over Benfica (3-1), Barcelona (3-2) and the 4-3 victory in the final to secure the cup.
Their 2011/12 season started under the management of Andre Villas-Boas until mid-way through the season but then caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo had to step in mid-way through the season and eventually lead the club to winning the trophy.
Almost a decade later, the 2020/21 season saw Chelsea’s strength in Europe return once more.
The club was in yet another management adjustment period, passing the torch from Frank Lampard to Thomas Tuchel, who reinvigorated the squad and led them through a challenging knockout phase.
With an incredible feat of team morale, the Blues surpassed Atlético Madrid 3-0, Porto 2-1, and even Real Madrid 3-1 leading up to the final against Man City.
The climax of their campaign came down to one solitary goal by Kai Havertz before the halftime break, crowning Chelsea Football Club as the champions of Europe for the second time.
Chelsea’s narrative in the UEFA Champions League is a remarkable chapter in the club’s illustrious journey, demonstrating a blend of tactical ingenuity, unyielding spirit, and a knack for rising to the occasion when it mattered the most.
UEFA Europa League
Chelsea has also had success in the second tier of UEFA European competition, with the club winning the UEFA Europa League twice in their history.
They won it in these seasons and who they defeated:
- 2012/13—def. SL Benfica 2-1
- 2018/19—def. Arsenal 4-1
In the 2012/13 season, Chelsea secured their first Europa League title in a thrilling final against SL Benfica.
Amsterdam Arena saw a remarkable win with Branislav Ivanović’s last-minute header breaking the deadlock to secure a 2-1 victory for the Blues.
This victory placed them in a prestigious group of clubs—joining the likes of Juventus, Ajax, and Bayern Munich—as they became the first English club to win all three major European trophies: the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Chelsea demonstrated their dominance once again in the UEFA Europa League in the 2018/19 season.
This time, they faced Arsenal in an all-English final, nailing a commanding 4-1 victory.
Olivier Giroud netted the opening goal, assisting him with being the tournament’s top scorer. While Pedro also contributed alongside the brace from Eden Hazard.
A scoreline that matched the record for the biggest margin of victory in a UEFA Europa League cup final.
Chelsea’s performance in the tournament was impeccable, going unbeaten for 18 games on their way to the trophy.
These trophies add to the club’s growing thirst for gold across European competition.
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
Chelsea FC has also won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup twice in their history.
Each year they won and who they beat are:
- 1970/71—def. Real Madrid 2-1 in the replay
- 1997/98—def. VfB Stuttgart 1-0
Chelsea FC won their first European trophy in the 1970-71 season, defeating Real Madrid in a replay in Athens after a 1-1 draw.
They reached the final by beating the defending champions, Manchester City, in the semi-finals.
In the 1997-98 season, Chelsea won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup again, beating VfB Stuttgart 1-0 in the final in Stockholm, Sweden.
These UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup victories highlight Chelsea’s success and competitive strength in European soccer.
UEFA Super Cup
Finally, Chelsea’s fourth cup-winning parade in Europe was for the UEFA Super Cup where, like all of their UEFA competitive wins, they have won it twice in their history.
These are the years they won it:
- 1998—def. Real Madrid 1-0
- 2021—def. Villarreal 6-5 on penalties after extra time due to a 1-1 draw
Chelsea won their first UEFA Super Cup in 1998 by defeating Real Madrid 1-0, thanks to a late goal from Gus Poyet. The match was a close affair and took place at Stade Louis II in Monaco.
In 2021, Chelsea captured their second UEFA Super Cup, prevailing over Villarreal in a penalty shootout 6-5 after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time.
The match occurred at Windsor Park, showcasing Chelsea’s composure in high-pressure situations.
These Super Cup victories highlight Chelsea’s status in European soccer—from a rising force in 1998 to a consistent powerhouse in 2021.
International Cups
Chelsea has moved the world of soccer beyond Europe, as well, with victories on an international stage.
FIFA Club World Cup
Chelsea FC were the winners of the FIFA Club World Cup once, winning it recently:
- 2021—def. SE Palmeiras 2-1 after extra time
In February 2022, Chelsea FC won the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021, beating SE Palmeiras 2-1 in a tense final that went to extra time.
Kai Havertz scored the decisive penalty.
This win was especially meaningful as it avenged Chelsea’s loss in the 2012 final, demonstrating the team’s progress and resilience.
The victory celebrated Chelsea’s rise to the status of World Champions, a prestigious title for soccer clubs.
Interesting Facts About Chelsea FC’s Trophy Cabinet
Here are some intriguing facts about Chelsea FC’s illustrious journey through various trophy-laden eras:
Unique European Triumph
Chelsea FC stands out in European soccer, having won all three top European club competitions twice:
- the Champions League (2012)
- the Europa League (2013, 2019)
- and the Cup Winners’ Cup (1971, 1998)
This highlights Chelsea’s strong legacy and ongoing success in Europe.
First London Club to Conquer Europe
Chelsea FC became the first London club to win the UEFA Champions League in 2012.
This victory was a milestone for both the club and the city, proving Chelsea’s ability to triumph in top-tier European soccer.
Dominance in the UEFA Europa League
Chelsea FC has excelled in the UEFA Europa League in recent years, winning it in 2013 and 2019.
They beat Benfica to take their first title and dominated Arsenal 4-1 in the 2019 final.
These wins underline Chelsea’s skill and clutch performance, bolstering their trophy collection and marking their impact on the competition.
