Chelsea’s success: From Champions of Europe to a New Generation the last decade

By Juan Pinto

Josh Acheampong of Chelsea takes a throw in during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in London. (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images/TNS)

There was a time when teams were scared to face Chelsea. The blue shirt represented a team that was difficult to beat and regularly competed for trophies. For Chelsea fans, those memories make the struggles of the last few years even harder to watch.

Chelsea has struggled with consistency over the past three years, despite winning the 2025 UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup. One possible reason for these struggles is the club's frequent changes in management. But despite these recent challenges, Chelsea was once one of Europe's toughest opponents. On May 29, 2021, the club won the UEFA Champions League final.

Chelsea had a strong team, but Manchester City, its opponent that evening, had won the Premier League. Although Manchester City entered the match as the favorite, Chelsea showed determination throughout the game. Chelsea fought hard and ended up winning 1-0, with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal. The victory gave Chelsea its second Champions League title. In the years that followed, several key players left for other clubs, and Chelsea entered a period of change.

Another major part of Chelsea's history during the previous decade was Eden Hazard. Growing up in Belgium, Hazard developed into a talented player before joining Chelsea in 2012. Once he wore the blue shirt, he became one of the team's leading players.

During the 2010s and early 2020s, Chelsea won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Champions League. The club also featured several talented attacking players who helped establish its success. Chelsea has experienced many ups and downs, but fans remember the years when it competed among the best teams in the world. Now, with players such as Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and João Pedro, there is hope that Chelsea could begin another successful period.

Chelsea's recent victories show that the club is still capable of winning major competitions. However, the challenge is turning those individual successes into consistent performances. With a new generation of players, Chelsea has an opportunity to build on its history. Whether the club can return to its previous level of success will depend on its performances in the seasons ahead.