The 2005–06 season was Chelsea F.C.'s 92nd competitive season, 14th consecutive season in the Premier League and 100th year as a club. Managed by José Mourinho, Chelsea marked their Centenary season by winning the Premier League title for the second consecutive year after defeating their closest challengers Manchester United 3–0 at Stamford Bridge on 29 April 2006. They also won the Community Shield.
Chelsea continued spending vast sums of money in their third season under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, signing Michael Essien from Lyon and Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City for more than £20 million each.
In the Champions League, Chelsea aimed to improve upon their second straight semi-final placing the previous year, but exited the competition in the first knockout round to FC Barcelona. In the FA Cup, they managed to improve on their fifth-round exit in the previous season, but fell short in the semi-final, losing 2–1 to Liverpool. After winning the League Cup in the previous season, they failed to defend their title by taking an early third-round exit to Charlton Athletic on penalties.
The season was momentous for Chelsea's record-breaking start to the Premier League season where they won their opening nine games in a row, which is the best start to a Premier League season by any side. The Blues proceeded to claim 20 wins from their first 22 league games, the strongest start recorded to a title defence in the Premier League era. Upon retaining their Champion status, Chelsea equalled the record for most victories within a league season (29), matching their total from the previous year. As of 2020, Chelsea 2005–06 hold joint Premier League records for most wins at home in a season (18) and fewest home defeats in a season (0). They were also the first Premier League team to win against every other opposition team in a season.
Team kits Supplier: Umbro / Sponsor: Samsung Mobile
The team kit for the season was produced by Umbro and the shirt sponsor was Samsung Mobile, who replaced previous shirt sponsor Emirates. Chelsea's new home kit was all blue with gold accents. Their new away kit was light blue with black shorts and black accents. Their 3rd kit was similar to their away kit from the 2004–05 season, black with grey shorts and grey accents. The only difference was the addition of the new shirt sponsor and new club crest with modifications.
Management
First team squad Squad at end of season
Left club during season
Transfers
In PlayerFromFeeDate3 DF Asier del Horno Athletic Bilbao £8 million 21 June 200519MF Lassana Diarra Le Havre £1 million 16 July 200524 MF Shaun Wright-Phillips Manchester City £21 million 18 July 20055MF Michael Essien Lyon £24.4 million 19 August 20057MF Maniche Dynamo Moscow Loan 4 January 2006
Out PlayerToFeeDate24 FW Mikael Forssell Birmingham City £3 million 10 June 200519 MF Scott Parker Newcastle United £6.5 million 15 June 20059 FW Mateja Kežman Atlético Madrid £5.3 million 29 June 2005 5 MF Alexey Smertin Charlton Athletic Loan 15 July 200527 MF Jiří Jarošík Birmingham City Loan 22 August 200530 MF Tiago Lyon £6.8 million 27 August 200540 GK Lenny Pidgeley Millwall Loan 28 November 20055 MF Alexey Smertin Dynamo Moscow £1 million 15 March 2006
Overall transfer activity
Total spending Summer: £58,400,000
Winter: £0,000,000
Total: £58,400,000
Income Summer: £22,600,000
Winter: £0,000,000
Total: £22,600,000
Expenditure Summer: £35,800,000
Winter: £0,000,000
Total: £35,800,000
Competitions
FA Community Shield
Premier League
Upon winning the 2005–06 Premier League season, Chelsea clinched their third national league title.
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches
UEFA Champions League
Group stage
Knockout phase
Round of 16
League Cup
FA Cup
Statistics
Statistics:."Summary of Season 2005–06". Bounder Friardale.co.uk. Squad details and shirt numbers:Chelsea FC 2005/06 EUFO
Starting 11 Considering starts in all competitions.
PlayerStarts1GK Čech4213RB Gallas446CB Carvalho 3326CB Terry (Captain)503LB Del Horno324DM Makélélé395CM Essien 368CM Lampard4810RW J. Cole3416LW Robben3115CF Drogba29
Summary Games played 54 (38 Premier League) (8 UEFA Champions League) (6 FA Cup) (1 Football League Cup) (1 FA Community Shield)Games won 37 (29 Premier League) (3 UEFA Champions League) (4 FA Cup) (0 Football League Cup) (1 FA Community Shield)Games drawn 9 (4 Premier League) (3 UEFA Champions League) (1 FA Cup) (1 Football League Cup)Games lost 8 (5 Premier League) (2 UEFA Champions League) (1 FA Cup) (0 Football League Cup)Goals scored 96 (72 Premier League) (9 UEFA Champions League) (12 FA Cup) (1 Football League Cup) (2 FA Community Shield)Goals conceded 34 (22 Premier League) (4 UEFA Champions League) (6 FA Cup) (1 Football League Cup) (1 FA Community Shield)Goal difference 62 (+50 Premier League) (+5 UEFA Champions League) (+6 FA Cup) (0 Football League Cup) (+1 FA Community Shield)Clean sheets 37 (20 Premier League) (5 UEFA Champions League) (1 FA Cup) (0 Football League Cup) (0 FA Community Shield)Most appearances 50 Frank Lampard & John TerryTop scorer 20 Frank LampardPoints Overall: 37/54 (68.52%)
References
External links Chelsea FC Official Website Chelsea FC on Soccerbase