As the world waits with bated breath for the opening match of the
Premier League 2019/20 season, it’s a good time to find out a little more about Chelsea Football Club. On 11 August 2019 the
Blues meet Manchester United at Old Trafford.
If past seasons are anything to go by, the opening salvos of the EPL should prove to be brutal and unforgiving. Each side will be intent on stamping their authority on the tournament… and for that the fans should be eternally grateful.
Collectively the giants of English football have millions of fans world-wide. They have the type of following the spans oceans and borders. From Ghana to Honduras, you’ll find young and old wearing the shirts of the respective clubs.
Now that the season is about to begin, let’s look at few facts about Chelsea FC and the current squad.
A Mixed Bag of Tricks
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This season Chelsea has a squad of 29 players champing at the bit to get onto the field. What’s remarkable is that only nine of these players are from England.
Besides the home boys there are players representing 10 different countries - Spain, Germany, Denmark, Italy, France, Brazil, Argentina, the USA, Croatia and Brazil. Only Africa, the East and Oceania have been left out of what can only be termed an eclectic mix of players!
Young and Old
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There’s 18 years separating the oldest and youngest player in the Chelsea squad. At 19 years of age Reece James is the baby of Stamford Bridge. Argentine Willie Caballero is the quintessential pensioner and at 37 years it’s just as well he spends all his time in the goal.
As far as all-time records go these two players are not too far off. The youngest ever Chelsea player was 16-year-old Ian Hamilton while the oldest was goalie Mark Schwarzer.
Where’s the Money?
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Since Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea lock, stock and barrel, the club has experienced a dramatic swing of fortunes. In 2005 Chelsea suffered its heaviest ever loss of £140 million.
Nine years later the club banked £18,4 million in profits, the best-ever returns in its 114-year history. The most recent estimations have put a total value of £1,54 billion on the London club - but who’s counting!
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According to the bean counters, the highest ever transfer fee paid by Chelsea was a cool £71,6 million for Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. In return they got around £90 million from Real Madrid for the Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard, the most paid to the club… ever.
Pre-Season Friendlies - On a Roll
If the pre-season friendlies are anything to go by, the Blues look in fine fettle. They only lost one out of seven and that was admittedly a bit of a shocker.
It wasn’t tough competitors like Barcelona or Borussia Monchengladbach that spoilt the stats. It was a little-known Japanese club called Kawasaki Frontale that whipped one past them in Yokohama! Could it be the heat, the sushi or the Geisha? No-one’s telling!
It’s Raining Goals
With Frank Lampard as manager fate may just be on the side of the Blues to win their seventh league title. He’s the all-time leading goal scorer for Chelsea, having slotted 211 balls into the net. He’s also the guy who boasts the most consecutive league appearances, so experience is not an issue.
You might also like: Frank Lampard set for baptism of fire
If Chelsea can emulate the 13 - 0 record win over Jeunesse Hautcherage or even the 8 - 0 drubbing of Wigan Athletic in 2010… the sky is the limit!
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