The return of The Special One: a season of high stakes and heavy spending
In short: In 2013, Chelsea Football Club embarked on a massive rebuilding project. With the high-profile return of José Mourinho, the club reunited legendary players and invested heavily in new talent, all while chasing the elusive silverware that had escaped them since 2011.
The 201<0xC2>3–14 campaign marked a significant era of transition for Chelsea. Following his appointment on 3 June, José Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge, signing a four-year contract. He famously referred to himself as "The Happy One" during his first interview, a departure from the "Special One" moniker of his first tenure. To rebuild the squad, Mourinho brought back several veterans from his time at Real Madrid, including John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Petr Čech, and John Obi Mikel.
The club's financial muscle was on full display during the summer transfer window. Chelsea secured André Schürrle for approximately £18.75 million and completed a massive £30 million deal for Willian, a move reportedly facilitated by Roman Abramovich's personal connections. Other notable arrivals included Marco van Ginkel for a reported £8 million and the experienced Samuel Eto'o for roughly £2 million. This period of investment was mirrored by a massive £300 million kit extension with Adidas, a record-breaking deal shared with Arsenal.
Despite the heavy investment and a strong league performance—amassing 82 points, their best since 2009–10—the season was a mixture of dominance and heartbreak. While Chelsea maintained a formidable home record, including a 61-game unbeaten league streak at Stamford Bridge, they struggled in Europe. They reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals but were eliminated by Atlético Madrid. The season ultimately ended without a trophy, marking the first time since the 2010–11 season that the club failed to secure silverware.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2013–14 Chelsea F.C. season
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