Chelsea Football Club, nicknamed “The Blues,” is a professional football club based in Fulham, West London. The club’s home ground, Stamford Bridge, is located on Fulham Road, and the team is deeply rooted in the area’s identity. Founded in 1905, the club has grown to become one of the most successful and well-supported teams in the world, with a rich history of triumph and memorable moments.
History and Stadium
The club was founded on March 10, 1905, at The Rising Sun pub, across from its iconic home ground, Stamford Bridge. The stadium was originally an athletics track, which its owner, Henry Augustus “Gus” Mears, decided to convert into a football ground. After an offer to lease the stadium to Fulham FC was rejected, Mears chose to found his own club, and Chelsea FC was born.
For much of its early history, Chelsea was known for attracting large crowds and signing star players, but major trophy success was sporadic. Their first top-flight league title didn’t arrive until the 1954-55 season. The club’s fortunes began to shift in the 1990s and, most notably, in the early 21st century following the acquisition by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003. This era was defined by massive investment and unprecedented success, leading to 19 major trophies.
Following the sanctions on Abramovich, the club was sold in 2022 to BlueCo, a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly and the private equity firm Clearlake Capital.
Major Trophies
Chelsea’s trophy cabinet is one of the most decorated in English football. They are the only London club to have won the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Their major honors include:
- Premier League / First Division: 6 titles
- FA Cup: 8 titles
- League Cup: 5 titles
- UEFA Champions League: 2 titles (2012, 2021)
- UEFA Europa League: 2 titles (2013, 2019)
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup: 2 titles (1971, 1998)
- FIFA Club World Cup: 1 title (2021)
- UEFA Super Cup: 2 titles (1998, 2021)
- UEFA Conference League: 1 title (2025)
Legendary and Current Players
Over the years, a number of world-class players have graced the Stamford Bridge pitch. Some of the most notable names from the past include:
- Frank Lampard: The club’s all-time leading goal scorer with 211 goals.
- John Terry: The long-serving club captain, known as “Captain, Leader, Legend.”
- Didier Drogba: A powerful and prolific striker, known for his ability to perform in crucial moments.
- Petr Čech: One of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation.
The current squad features a mix of established international stars and promising young talent. Key players include:
- Cole Palmer: A breakout star who has become a crucial part of the team’s attack.
- Enzo Fernández: A World Cup winner who dictates the tempo from midfield.
- Moisés Caicedo: A key defensive midfielder.
- Reece James: The club captain and an influential right-back.
Full List of Current Players (2025-26 Season)
Here is the officially confirmed first-team squad for the 2025-26 season.
- Goalkeepers: Robert Sánchez, Filip Jörgensen, Gabriel Slonina
- Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoît Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Jorrel Hato, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Aarón Anselmino, Josh Acheampong
- Midfielders: Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Roméo Lavia, Andrey Santos, Cole Palmer, Carney Chukwuemeka, Dário Essugo
- Forwards: Mykhailo Mudryk, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto, João Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Tyrique George, Estêvão
Owners and Management
The club has been led by several notable figures throughout its history. The list of head coaches since the 1950s is extensive.
- Former Head Coaches: Ted Drake (1952-61), Tommy Docherty (1961-67), Dave Sexton (1967-74), Eddie McCreadie (1975-77), Ken Shellito (1977-78), Danny Blanchflower (1978-79), Geoff Hurst (1979-81), John Neal (1981-85), John Hollins (1985-88), Bobby Campbell (1988-91), Ian Porterfield (1991-93), David Webb (1993), Glenn Hoddle (1993-96), Ruud Gullit (1996-98), Gianluca Vialli (1998-2000), Claudio Ranieri (2000-04), José Mourinho (2004-07, 2013-15), Avram Grant (2007-08), Luiz Felipe Scolari (2008-09), Guus Hiddink (2009, 2015-16), Carlo Ancelotti (2009-11), André Villas-Boas (2011-12), Roberto Di Matteo (2012), Rafael Benítez (2012-13), Antonio Conte (2016-18), Maurizio Sarri (2018-19), Frank Lampard (2019-21, 2023), Thomas Tuchel (2021-22), Graham Potter (2022-23), Mauricio Pochettino (2023-24).
- Current Head Coach: Enzo Maresca took over in the summer of 2024, with his official appointment date being July 1, 2024.
Sponsors
Chelsea has had a number of high-profile sponsors throughout its history. The club’s current main partners are:
- Nike: The technical kit sponsor.
- BingX: The official training wear partner.
- Fever: The club’s sleeve sponsor.
