At times in football, as in life, you can be caught off guard. When you least expect it, something totally unforeseen happens, fate takes hold and dramatically changes the direction of the path you are on.

Almost a year ago to the day and on the eve of a new season, Chelsea were champions of England, Jose Mourinhowas settled at the club and the ink was just drying on his new four-year contract. The words of club director Marina Granovskaia delightedly announcing four more years of Mourinho and the promise of continued success were ringing in the ears of supporters around Stamford Bridge. Fans were eagerly anticipating another era of west London dominance.

2016/17 Chelsea Season Preview

Mourinho Meltdown

By the time Mourinho was sacked on 17th December 2015, Dr Eva Carneiro had left the club following a public row with the then-manager and the Blues were just one point above the relegation zone having lost nine of their opening sixteen league fixtures. By the end of the season, Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge fortress barely resembled a sandcastle.

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