Which Abramovich season were Chelsea weakest?

[Jezz]

In terms of the weakest Abramovich seasons, this is my top 5:

1). 2015/2016 = Easily the worst season in the Abramovich era. Lost our greatest manager of all time, players underachieved, lack of new signings and we were 16th around the Christmas period. The second half of the season picked up a little under Hiddink, but it was a terrible season for everyone at the club.

2). 2010/2011 = We may have finished 2nd (71 points) in the PL season, but it was a weak year across the league. We sold off a bunch of hardened veterans and didn't replace them adequately, until we bought Torres and Luiz in the January transfer window. Torres was a flop, but Luiz ended up being a good acquisition for us. On the domestic front, we were eliminated from the FA and League Cups early in the competition. 

3). 2017/2018 = Barring the FA Cup success, this was an average season. Finished outside the top 4, didn't achieve much in the CL and there was ongoing turmoil between Conte and the board throughout the season. The first half of the season was decent, but the second half was a downward spiral except for the FA Cup success.

4). 2011/2012 = A strange season. Our worst PL finished in 10 years, but we managed to win the FA Cup and Champions League. Felt like an end of an era in some ways, with our veterans being able to win a thoroughly deserved CL trophy after years of close misses. AVB was the wrong managerial appointment with the benefit of hindsight. Without the two trophies, it's possible this was the second worst season behind only 2015/2016.

5). 2012/2013 = A season of mixed feelings. On the field, we performed better than previous years but losing Robbie in the circumstances we did and having to put up with Benitez was tough. Winning the Europa League was a nice consolation prize after failing to defend our CL trophy and there were good moments throughout the season. The icing on the cake was bringing back Mourinho in time for the following season.

It's interesting that some of our worst seasons in the Abramovich era have come off the back of title winning seasons. Seems like a recurring trend that we can't seem to shake.

 

[strider6004]

It's interesting that some of our worst seasons in the Abramovich era have come off the back of title winning seasons. Seems like a recurring trend that we can't seem to shake.

Since at least 2000 only two teams have won consecutive titles, Chelsea and Man Utd.

Man Utd under Ferguson seemed to have perfected it until he left.

The fact that winning a title seems such an achievement these days may be why no-one has retained it, though Pep is trying this season.

 

[Jezz]

Since at least 2000 only two teams have won consecutive titles, Chelsea and Man Utd.

Man Utd under Ferguson seemed to have perfected it until he left.

The fact that winning a title seems such an achievement these days may be why no-one has retained it, though Pep is trying this season.

No doubt it's a difficult task to achieve back-to-back titles, so teams who achieve that deserve a massive amount of credit.

It's just disappointing that in 2016 and 2018, we struggled to defend our title. Part of it being our own doing more than anything in addition to other teams catching up to us.

 

[strider6004]

No doubt it's a difficult task to achieve back-to-back titles, so teams who achieve that deserve a massive amount of credit.

It's just disappointing that in 2016 and 2018, we struggled to defend our title. Part of it being our own doing more than anything in addition to other teams catching up to us.

Yes we proverbially shot ourselves in the foot.

I think in both cases there were big factors behind the scenes, firstly 2016-  with Eva Carneiro doubt we have heard the truth and JM won't talk about it. Suspect real problems in the dressing room and not just about the way JM spoke to Ms Carneiro though that was the trigger.

2018 - No Costa and poor recruitment.