How a single substitution helped Chelsea complete football's ultimate collection
In short: In 2022, Chelsea Football Club achieved a rare feat of global dominance. By securing the FIFA Club World Cup, they joined an elite group of clubs to have won every major trophy in European and international football. But the path to this historic achievement was marked by intense title battles, injury crises, and tactical gambles.
The 2021–22 season was a period of both unprecedented glory and domestic frustration for the Blues. The campaign began with a significant tactical masterstroke on 11 August 2021, during the UEFA Super Cup against Villarreal. In the final minute of extra time, manager Thomas Tuchel replaced goalkeeper Édouard Mendy with Kepa Arrizabalaga. After the match ended 1–1, a 6–5 penalty victory for Chelsea was secured when Arrizabalaga stopped Raúl Albiol's shot. Tuchel later revealed the move was driven by data showing Kepa's superior penalty-saving statistics.
This victory set the stage for a season of high stakes. The club's triumph in the FIFA Club World Cup was particularly momentous, as it provided the final piece of silverware missing from their honours list. This victory placed Chelsea alongside Ajax, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Manchester United as the only clubs to have won every major honour available in European and international football.
However, the domestic campaign was less consistent. After leading the Premier League title race from October to early December, a period of inconsistent form through the winter months saw them slip to third place. The club also faced significant challenges in cup competitions, reaching both the FA Cup and EFL Cup finals, only to be defeated on penalties by Liverpool on both occasions. The Champions League title defence also ended in the quarter-finals against Real Madrid.
The season was also defined by high-profile transfers and squad instability. The club re-signed Romelu Lukaku for €110m, while also navigating a period where COVID-19 and injuries to key players like Ben Chilwell and Timo Werner hampered their momentum. Despite these hurdles, the season remained a landmark chapter in the club's 116-year history.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2021–22 Chelsea F.C. season
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