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30 Greatest Teams in Premier League History

By Benjamin Taylor

Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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3. Chelsea, 2004-06

LONDON – OCTOBER 29: Goal scorer Joe Cole of Chelsea celebrates with team mates Arjen Robben, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard during the FA Barclays Premiership match between Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge on October 29, 2005 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
LONDON – OCTOBER 29: Goal scorer Joe Cole of Chelsea celebrates with team mates Arjen Robben, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard during the FA Barclays Premiership match between Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge on October 29, 2005 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images) /

Starting XI: P. Cech (GK); P. Ferreira, R. Carvalho, J. Terry, W. Gallas; C. Makelele, F. Lampard, Tiago/M. Essien; D. Duff/J. Cole, D. Drogba, A. Robben.

Yes, they were bankrolled by a Russian billionaire who spent just over £250 million over three summers bringing in every player he so desired. But what a team he built.

Chelsea, under Ranieri, had finished 2nd behind Arsenal’s Invincibles the previous season. But there was still significant turnover at Stamford Bridge, with top scorer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and club captain Marcel Desailly moving on. Most significantly of all, Abramovich replaced Ranieri with a young Portuguese manager who had just won the Champions League. Mourinho quickly added the final pieces of the puzzle: Carvalho and Ferreira were known commodities from his Porto side; Robben was one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers, and Didier Drogba was an athletic striker capable of leading the line. Even Petr Cech, originally signed as cover for Carlo Cudicini, became an immediate starter. But it was existing players like new captain John Terry and top scorer Frank Lampard that would prove most valuable. The Blues stormed to their first league title in 50 years, clocking up a record 95 points and conceding a measly 15 goals (!) all season. In addition, they lifted the League Cup and reached the Champions League semifinals.

The following season, Chelsea spent big again, most notably on midfield battering ram Michael Essien. The trio of Makelele, Essien and Lampard would dominate opposing midfields all season, with Lampard’s goals instrumental. Though they would fall short in the cup competitions and in Europe, Mourinho’s men once again left the Premier League trailing in their wake, amassing 91 points on their way to back-to-back titles. By late 2007, Mourinho was gone, and Chelsea’s brief period of domination was – temporarily – over.

Next: No. 2

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