Himself
Few will ever forget the 2003/04 season, as Chelsea recorded our second best ever seasonal campaign, propelling ourselves back into the big three of the English League with our second highest finish, and progressing further than ever before in the UEFA Champions League. There may be no trophies to show after a thrilling year, but strong foundations have been laid and there have been fond memories created along the way. It was a season to remembers as Claudio Ranieri prepared his group of international superstars for an attack on all fronts. On home soil, the team recorded the most points we have ever attained in the top-flight, with some fine victories along the way, most notably against arch-rivals Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, whilst in Europe, the 4-0 defeat of Lazio in their own back yard, became the biggest win by any foreign club on Italian turf at that time.
Himself
Chelsea enjoyed our best run of form for some time in 2002-03, finishing fourth in the Premiership with a memorable last day of the season victory against fellow Champions League hopefuls Liverpool. However, this was not just a late flurry from Claudio Ranieri's quality west London side. Two memorable goal-rich cup runs took the Blues to the quarter-finals of both the Worthington and FA Cups, dismissed only by Manchester United, and Arsenal after a replay. The season saw some of the best performances of his life from Chelsea's veteran striker Gianfranco Zola, who defied all records and expectations with cheeky free-kicks and several spectacular acrobatic goals. Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini won plaudits for the consistently brilliant performances that proved he is surely Chelsea's finest keeper since Peter Bonetti. Frank Lampard, too, demonstrated week in week out the excellent England midfield form of which Chelsea fans have always believed him capable.
Himself
All the goals - everything scored and conceded, all 149 goals. The essential action - the goal line clearances, the saves. Post match reactions - exclusive interviews with the players and manager. The cup run - behind the scenes at Villa Park and The Millennium Stadium. The controversies - full response to our early European exit and erratic premiership form. The analysis - Graeme Le Saux pinpoints the crucial moments with help from Claudio Ranieri.
Himself
This was the season Chelsea were preparing a Championship challenge. Instead it was a season of unforeseen drama. Follow it here with every goal, every anguish and, ultimately, every achievement. Action and interviews abound. See Chelsea win the Charity Shield and part with manager Gianluca Vialli after five Premiership games. See Chelsea score huge home wins over Liverpool, Coventry, Tottenham, Derby and Bradford while at the same time losing seven consecutive away games. See the emergence of tomorrow's Chelsea with new manager Claudio Ranieri brining through John Terry, Sam Dalla Bona and Carlo Cudicini. See Chelsea's first premiership Golden Boot winner, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. All his 23 League goals are here. And see old favourites like Dennis Wise and Gianfranco Zola joined by new favourites like Eidur Gudjohnsen. Feel the anguish. Defeats in the three Cups before the semi-final stage. Enjoy the regeneration. A new team still qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
