On the 16th day of December, we continue opening our advent collection by letting some of our greatest to have worn the No.16 shirt tell a significant story from their time at Chelsea…
_**We start with Roberto Di Matteo. The Italian midfielder’s most memorable contribution in our colours - on the pitch at least - was his spectacular FA Cup final goal in May 1997, scored after just 43 seconds. It set Ruud Gullit’s Blues on our way to our first major trophy in 26 years…**_
I thought to myself, ‘Maybe I will shoot,’ and so I did. Maybe the Middlesbrough players didn’t think I would. But I was very lucky because when I hit the ball it went first up and then down behind the goalkeeper.
To score so early was unexpected, I must say! Very unexpected. I was well happy to put us ahead, I felt over the moon. I shortly lost total connection with what the moment was, I just started running. I didn't even know where to run.
Everyone was chasing me. It was just a fantastic feeling, I had goose pimples. The rest, as they say, is history.
Wembley was a good pitch for me and 1997 was fantastic, a wonderful experience. Certainly one of the best times I had in my career. I managed to score the goal, which helped us massively, but it is a team effort. Defenders have to defend, strikers have to try to score the goals, midfielders have to do both.
Everybody tries to do their job to achieve what you set out to achieve. And we had a great party together afterwards.
_**Arjen Robben’s start to life at Chelsea in 2004 was delayed by a pre-season injury. When he returned to fitness, he made an instant impact, producing one of the most devastating spells of form seen at Stamford Bridge, one that helped kickstart our title challenge…**_
It was really difficult. I had to work my socks off to get fit again, but by the time I made my comeback I was in fantastic physical condition and had a great start at Chelsea. In my first three matches in the starting XI, we won 1-0 and I scored two of the goals. I felt fast and strong, which I realised I needed in England, so maybe my time out did me some good.
The injury meant that I had the opportunity to focus on the physical side of my game. I had several months of intense work, so by the time I was fit again I was in fantastic condition. This gave me the confidence to show what I wanted to show in the Premier League.
_**Raul Meireles was a member of the squad that won our first Champions League**_ **\- under the guidance of none other than Di Matteo -** _**against all the odds…**_
I had so many bright moments in my football career, so many trophies, many things to be proud of and so many unforgettable things to tell my grandchildren in the future.
But this one especially is very different for me. In 2012 we won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea Football Club for the first time ever. We were far away from any nominations, everyone said that we are not gonna make it; they even made some jokes about us before the semi-final and the final game.
In general, no one literally expected what happened or supported us but our loyal fans in that time. But we proved to everyone that we are the best in the world back then.
It all started with a dream and a true believing in our skills as a team. For anyone, any game is just 90 minutes, but for us - players, coaches, staff - any game is about endless hours of training, several years of determination and dreaming to make it to this level, and millions of supporters who count on you to make them happy and proud of their beloved team.
_**Edouard Mendy was instrumental in our 2021 Champions League triumph. Here, he reflects on his standout moments from that iconic European campaign…**_
There were so many highlights, from the games against my previous club Rennes to playing the semi-final against Real Madrid and the final in Porto, so many moments to keep, to appreciate.
My best save was against Madrid, in the semi-final at home, because the score was 0-0 and they had a great chance. I made the save from Benzema to keep us in the game and we scored three minutes after, so for me it is the biggest save I have made.
For football, 2021 is the best year of my life because it was an amazing season, we won the biggest title in Europe in my first year in a big club. It is an incredible achievement.