A decade on from his first Premier League title at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho has done it again, winning the 2014-15 edition with three games to go.
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Back in 2005, four Chelsea players made the PFA Team of the Year, while of the 2015 generation, six Pensioners have made the division’s select.
But which side was better?
In this feature, we compare two of Mourinho’s great title-winning teams—the side that helped him to his first title in 2005 after picking up a record 95 points and those that sealed this year’s championship after victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
GK: Petr Cech vs. Thibault Courtois
Mourinho’s decision to replace an established goalkeeper with a much younger star has precedent. Back in the 04-05 season, he ditched the record-breaking Carlo Cudicini and replaced him with Petr Cech.
While the young Belgian would surely love to have the career that Cech has enjoyed over the subsequent, he has already featured in a Champions League final, won the Liga BBVA crown and represented Belgium at the World Cup.
However, in that 04-05 title-winning campaign—Cech’s first in England—he broke Cudicini’s record for most clean sheets in a Premier League season…even Courtois can’t compete with that!
Winner: Petr Cech
DR: Paulo Ferreira vs. Branislav Ivanovic
Paulo Ferreira was a great servant for Chelsea for many years, and was a versatile option across the backline, but he was also often seen as the Pensioners’ weak link.
Ivanovic, on the other hand, has demonstrated his ability to win games for Chelsea and constantly gives his all for the club.
He too is versatile, and can perform excellently as either a right-back or in the centre.
Winner: Branislav Ivanovic
DC: John Terry
John Terry was a key man in both the 2005 and the 2015 generation.
The centre-back may have slowed down a little—but the former England captain still has magnificent leadership qualities and the ability to impose himself physically when the occasional calls for it.
John Terry
DC: Ricardo Carvalho vs. Gary Cahill
Gary Cahill has done a fine job this season under Mourinho and is a worthy title-winner, but he doesn’t quite complement John Terry like Carvalho did.
The centre-back—who also featured for the Portuguese coach at FC Porto and Real Madrid—was composed with the ball at his feet and was able to play the ball out from the back.
He also had grit, and settled well in the Premier League.
Winner: Ricardo Carvalho
DL: William Gallas vs. Cesar Azpilicueta
Ashley Cole would have nailed down this spot if we were considering Chelsea’s Mourinho dream team, but in 2005, the England left-back was still playing for Arsenal.
William Gallas—nominally a centre-back—operated on the left and made 28 appearances, while Wayne Bridge also chipped in.
While not primarily a left-back, the Spanish international has done a superb job this season, demonstrating discipline in defence and making some key contributions offensively.
Winner: Cesar Azpilicueta
MC: Claude Makelele vs. Nemanja Matic
Serbian midfielder Matic started the season exceptionally well, continuing his fine form from last season, but like so many of his teammates, faded as the campaign wore on.
Defensively, only three players in the division average more passes per game, while he is an imposing presence in front of the defence.
However, he cannot compete with Claude Makelele, who had a role named after him and proved to be the perfect anchorman for Mourinho’s first fine Chelsea side.
Winner: Claude Makelele
MC: Cesc Fabregas vs. Tiago
Tiago was a tidy player who was neat in possession, recycled the ball well and was often effective in linking midfield and attack.
Fabregas—who won the World Cup with Spain in 2010—has been world-class since returning to the Premier League and must make Chelsea’s ’05-’15 dream team.
The Spaniard has managed 17 assists this season—more than any other player in the top flight.
Winner: Cesc Fabregas
MC: Frank Lampard vs. Willian
Willian is a useful component for Mourinho, who makes maximum use of the Brazilian’s versatility and admirable work rate.
In terms of his output, though, the former Shakhtar Donetsk man cannot compete with Lampard.
Before Yaya Toure’s awesome campaign last year, the ex-West Ham United man was the only central midfielder in the division to have passed the 20-goal mark, while some consider him to be Chelsea’s greatest-ever player.
He managed 13 goals in 38 appearances in the 04-05 campaign.
Winner: Frank Lampard
FW: Eden Hazard vs. Damien Duff
As the PFA Player of the Year, it’s hard to look too far beyond Eden Hazard, who has flourished under Mourinho.
Zinedine Zidane, no less, has claimed that Hazard is the third best player in the world and the Belgian has managed an impressive 14 goals and eight assists in 35 appearances so far.
While Duff was a valuable asset for Mourinho’s side—developing an excellent understanding with Arjen Robben—he managed only six goals and cannot compete with Hazard for star power.
Winner: Eden Hazard
FW: Diego Costa vs. Didier Drogba
After his recent injury concerns, it’s become easy to forget what an impact Diego Costa had at the beginning of the season.
He appeared to be a perfect fit to the Premier League and was outstanding in September.
19 goals in 23 starts is a terrific return, even if only three of them have come since the middle of January.
Costa hasn’t yet reached the level Didier Drogba did in his prime, but back in the ’04-05 season, the Ivorian hadn’t yet reached his peak.
His 10 goals in 26 EPL appearances fades in comparison to Costa’s exploits this season.
Winner: Diego Costa
FW: Oscar vs. Arjen Robben
Oscar has enjoyed some fine moments this term—contributing six goals and eight assists—but there is a sense that he has faded as the season has worn on.
He doesn’t seem to completely have the faith of Jose Mourinho either, and misses out to Arjen Robben here.
The Dutchman managed only 18 league appearances in his first season under the Portuguese coach, but proved to be a magnificent dribbler, and able to operate on either the right or the left.
Winner: Arjen Robben