2021 has been another crazy episode in the life of a Chelsea fan.
It seems there is never a quiet moment around Stamford Bridge, but the past 12 months have been especially raucous.
Conceding all of the significant events into an edible piece of literature is not a straightforward challenge.
Instead, we have picked out our top three Chelsea moments from the past year:
Tuchel time
When Frank Lampard was relieved from his managerial post on the 25th of January, a grey cloud lingered over the club.
Poor results aside – there had been plenty in the previous few months – sacking arguably the greatest player in Chelsea’s history was always going to leave a sour taste in the mouth.
After all, it was Lampard who guided the Blues to Champions League qualification, an FA Cup final, promoted several youth stars to the senior set-up, all whilst competing with a transfer ban.
But for the sake of the team’s season, change needed to happen.
Just a day later, it was announced that Thomas Tuchel would take charge with immediate effect.
A quizzical ripple rung around South West London.
Is the man who Paris Saint-Germain just sacked really the right person for such a pressurised job?
Fast forward to present day and that question couldn’t be more absurd if it was asked by a talking donkey.
Tuchel has transformed the side from European hopefuls to conquerors of the continent.
His methods have been precise and distinct from the very beginning, as have every single media interview he’s taken on.
Individuals who were once thrown to the mud are now shinier than ever before.
Chelsea would not be where they are now without the German’s arrival.
‘We know what we are…’
29th of May. A date that will be remembered by Chelsea supporters until the end of time.
The day that Tuchel truly cemented himself into folk law, having teetered on the edge up to that night in Porto.
The last chapter of a grueling season – that included a managerial changeover and an entire FA Cup campaign – was about to come to end.
After defeating Real Madrid comprehensively across two legs to reach the final, Chelsea were met by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Estadio do Dragao.
The two coaches had already encountered each other twice domestically, once in the league and the cup, but this one-off match was like no other.
Tuchel had revenge on his mind from last year’s loss in the showpiece event, so the stage really was set for a showdown of seismic proportions.
Due to the quality of both camps, one goal was all the Premier League pair could muster between them.
Thankfully for Chelsea, it was they who hit the hammer down hardest.
Just before the break, Kai Havertz collected a delightful Mason Mount pass, rounded Ederson and stabbed the ball into an empty net.
Even after losing Thiago Silva to injury and facing an onslaught of City pressure, Tuchel’s men defended stoutly to protect their lead.
As the final whistle blew, a sea of celebration erupted from the dark blue corner of the stadium.
Chelsea were champions of Europe for a second time; doesn’t that sound so sweet.
Clean sweep
It was because of this success on the grandest footballing stage that Chelsea came up trumps in the UEFA awards at the beginning of the term.
Jorginho earned the title of the Men’s Player of the Year, owed to his consistent contributions throughout the Champions League run.
He formed a formidable partnership with N’Golo Kante, who earned the Champions League Midfielder of the Season.
Which came as little surprise, seeing as the miniature midfielder was named man-of-the-match in one of the quarter-final fixtures, both semi-finals and the final.
Tuchel understandably got the nod for the Coach of the Year.
Edouard Mendy claimed the Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season, another title rightly awarded.
Mendy kept nine clean sheets throughout the run to the finale, a joint-record for a debut campaign in the competition.
The Blues covered in silver.