2010 Chelsea Home – Didier Drogba #11 Large

The 2009–10 season was one of the greatest in Chelsea Football Club’s history — a campaign that saw the Blues, under Carlo Ancelotti, claim their first-ever Premier League and FA Cup Double. The 2010 season (which concluded in May) embodied dominance, attacking flair, and relentless consistency, marking a defining era for the club’s golden generation led by Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, John Terry, and Petr Čech.

In the Premier League, Chelsea finished as champions with 86 points, just one ahead of Manchester United. Ancelotti’s side combined tactical discipline with attacking freedom, scoring a club-record 103 league goals — the first team in Premier League history to surpass the 100-goal mark. They thrashed top sides with emphatic scorelines, including 7–2 vs Sunderland, 7–1 vs Aston Villa, 7–0 vs Stoke City, and a 2–1 victory at Old Trafford, which proved decisive in the title race.

Chelsea also lifted the FA Cup, defeating Portsmouth 1–0 in the final at Wembley thanks to a goal from Didier Drogba — cementing his reputation as a big-game hero. Their Champions League campaign ended in disappointment, eliminated in the Round of 16 by José Mourinho’s Inter Milan, but the domestic double ensured the season’s legendary status.

The 2009–10 (2010) Chelsea home kit, designed by adidas, was a refined modern classic: a royal blue shirt with white shoulder stripes, red detailing around the collar, and the Samsung sponsor emblazoned across the chest. The design’s simplicity was elevated by subtle texturing and sleek tailoring — a nod to Chelsea’s professionalism and dominance. This kit is now etched in memory as the Double-winning jersey, synonymous with strength, elegance, and success.

2. Player’s Impact – Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba enjoyed the finest individual season of his illustrious career in 2009–10, cementing his place among Chelsea’s all-time greats. At age 32, he delivered a masterclass in leadership, physical dominance, and finishing ability, guiding the club to both Premier League and FA Cup glory.

Drogba finished the campaign as the Premier League’s top scorer with 29 goals, winning the Golden Boot, and scoring 37 goals in all competitions — his best-ever return in a Chelsea shirt. His goals were not just frequent but monumental. He scored crucial braces against Arsenal and Manchester United, a hat-trick on the final day against Wigan Athletic to seal the title (8–0 win), and the winning goal in the FA Cup Final against Portsmouth — curling a free kick off the post and in, showcasing his trademark precision under pressure.

Tactically, Drogba thrived in Ancelotti’s fluid 4-4-2 diamond system, forming an electric partnership with Nicolas Anelka. He served as the focal point of attack, holding up play, bullying defenders, and linking with Lampard and Malouda with devastating effectiveness. His aerial prowess, strength, and unrelenting determination made him virtually unplayable.

Beyond the numbers, Drogba’s influence extended to the emotional core of the team. He was Chelsea’s warrior — leading with passion, hunger, and an unrivaled knack for delivering when it mattered most. This season defined his legacy not just as a goal-scorer, but as one of the most dominant centre-forwards in Premier League history.

3. Full Squad List (Chelsea – 2009–10 Season)

Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
Assistant Manager: Ray Wilkins

Goalkeepers:
Petr Čech, Hilário, Ross Turnbull, Henrique Hilário

Defenders:
John Terry (captain), Ricardo Carvalho, Branislav Ivanović, Ashley Cole, José Bosingwa, Paulo Ferreira, Alex, Juliano Belletti, Michael Mancienne

Midfielders:
Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, John Obi Mikel, Florent Malouda, Joe Cole, Deco, Michael Essien, Yuri Zhirkov, Miroslav Stoch

Forwards:
Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou, Daniel Sturridge