• 1) League Cup, February 2005: Chelsea won their first trophy under Roman Abramovich by defeating Liverpool 3-2 after extra time in the 2003 League Cup final. John Arne Riise scored early for Liverpool before a Steven Gerrard own goal sent the game into extra time. Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman made it 3-1 to Chelsea and Antonio Nunez pulled one back for Liverpool. The Abramovich era had begun. AFP
    1) League Cup, February 2005: Chelsea won their first trophy under Roman Abramovich by defeating Liverpool 3-2 after extra time in the 2003 League Cup final. John Arne Riise scored early for Liverpool before a Steven Gerrard own goal sent the game into extra time. Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman made it 3-1 to Chelsea and Antonio Nunez pulled one back for Liverpool. The Abramovich era had begun. AFP
  • 2) Premier League, 2004/05: Jose Mourinho lived up to his self-appointed 'Special One' tag by guiding Chelsea to their first Premier League title and first top-flight title in 50 years. The Blues marched away with the league, finishing 12 points clear and losing just once. AFP
    2) Premier League, 2004/05: Jose Mourinho lived up to his self-appointed 'Special One' tag by guiding Chelsea to their first Premier League title and first top-flight title in 50 years. The Blues marched away with the league, finishing 12 points clear and losing just once. AFP
  • 3) Premier League 2005/06: Back-to-back titles for the Blues who were once again head and shoulders above their rivals, finishing eight points ahead of runners-up Manchester United. Getty Images
    3) Premier League 2005/06: Back-to-back titles for the Blues who were once again head and shoulders above their rivals, finishing eight points ahead of runners-up Manchester United. Getty Images
  • 4) League Cup, February 2007: Trophy No 4 was delivered at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, where Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1 in the final. Theo Walcott put the Gunners in front but a Drogba double ensured the Blues emerged victorious. AFP
    4) League Cup, February 2007: Trophy No 4 was delivered at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, where Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1 in the final. Theo Walcott put the Gunners in front but a Drogba double ensured the Blues emerged victorious. AFP
  • 5) FA Cup, May 2007: Chelsea missed out on the league title but finished the season with the Cup double, beating Manchester United 1-0 after extra time, courtesy of another Drogba goal. AFP
    5) FA Cup, May 2007: Chelsea missed out on the league title but finished the season with the Cup double, beating Manchester United 1-0 after extra time, courtesy of another Drogba goal. AFP
  • 6) FA Cup, May 2009: Interim manager Guus Hiddink left his mark on Chelsea by guiding the club to an FA Cup triumph. After falling behind to a first-minute Louis Saha goal, Chelsea fought back through Drogba and Frank Lampard to defeat Everton 2-1. AFP
    6) FA Cup, May 2009: Interim manager Guus Hiddink left his mark on Chelsea by guiding the club to an FA Cup triumph. After falling behind to a first-minute Louis Saha goal, Chelsea fought back through Drogba and Frank Lampard to defeat Everton 2-1. AFP
  • 7) Premier League, 2009/2010: After three years without a league title, Chelsea came roaring back to win the 2010 trophy. Following the dogged and pragmatic style under Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti got the team playing with flair as the Blues scored 103 goals and won the title by one point ahead of Manchester United. AFP
    7) Premier League, 2009/2010: After three years without a league title, Chelsea came roaring back to win the 2010 trophy. Following the dogged and pragmatic style under Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti got the team playing with flair as the Blues scored 103 goals and won the title by one point ahead of Manchester United. AFP
  • 8) FA Cup, May 2010: Chelsea successfully defended the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Portsmouth. No prizes for guessing the matchwinner as Drogba struck to secure the double. AFP
    8) FA Cup, May 2010: Chelsea successfully defended the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Portsmouth. No prizes for guessing the matchwinner as Drogba struck to secure the double. AFP
  • 9) FA Cup, May 2012: After the ill-fated spell of Andre Villas-Boas, former Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo came in to steady the ship. Steady the ship he did as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup final. Ramires and Drogba scored Chelsea's goals before Andy Carroll pulled one back for Liverpool. AFP
    9) FA Cup, May 2012: After the ill-fated spell of Andre Villas-Boas, former Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo came in to steady the ship. Steady the ship he did as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup final. Ramires and Drogba scored Chelsea's goals before Andy Carroll pulled one back for Liverpool. AFP
  • 10) Uefa Champions League, May 2012: The 10th trophy under Abramovich and the one the Russian craved above all others. Chelsea were crowned European champions in improbable style, riding their luck to defeat Bayern Munich on penalties inside the German club's own stadium. Drogba's header levelled five minutes after Thomas Muller had put Bayern in the lead to force extra time, where Arjen Robben then missed a penalty. It was then left to the main man Drogba to seal it from the penalty spot. AFP
    10) Uefa Champions League, May 2012: The 10th trophy under Abramovich and the one the Russian craved above all others. Chelsea were crowned European champions in improbable style, riding their luck to defeat Bayern Munich on penalties inside the German club's own stadium. Drogba's header levelled five minutes after Thomas Muller had put Bayern in the lead to force extra time, where Arjen Robben then missed a penalty. It was then left to the main man Drogba to seal it from the penalty spot. AFP
  • 11) Uefa Europa League, May 2013: A disappointing Champions League campaign saw Chelsea drop into the Europa League, but the Blues made their superiority count in Europe's second-tier tournament. Fernando Torres gave Chelsea the lead in the final, before Oscar Cardozo equalised from the spot. Branislav Ivanovic secured the trophy with the winner in injury time. AFP
    11) Uefa Europa League, May 2013: A disappointing Champions League campaign saw Chelsea drop into the Europa League, but the Blues made their superiority count in Europe's second-tier tournament. Fernando Torres gave Chelsea the lead in the final, before Oscar Cardozo equalised from the spot. Branislav Ivanovic secured the trophy with the winner in injury time. AFP
  • 12) League Cup, March 2015: The return of Mourinho brought with it more domestic success, starting with a third League Cup under Abramovich. Chelsea claimed a 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the final, John Terry and Diego Costa with the goals. AFP
    12) League Cup, March 2015: The return of Mourinho brought with it more domestic success, starting with a third League Cup under Abramovich. Chelsea claimed a 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the final, John Terry and Diego Costa with the goals. AFP
  • 13) Premier League, 2014/15: Mourinho secured a double as Chelsea won their first league title in five years. It was a convincing season for the Blues, who finished eight points clear of runners-up Manchester City. AFP
    13) Premier League, 2014/15: Mourinho secured a double as Chelsea won their first league title in five years. It was a convincing season for the Blues, who finished eight points clear of runners-up Manchester City. AFP
  • 14) Premier League, 2016/17: Antonio Conte announced himself to English football with a remarkable debut season as Chelsea manager, guiding the club to the title and a then record 30 league wins. The Blues were seven points clear of second-placed Tottenham. AFP
    14) Premier League, 2016/17: Antonio Conte announced himself to English football with a remarkable debut season as Chelsea manager, guiding the club to the title and a then record 30 league wins. The Blues were seven points clear of second-placed Tottenham. AFP
  • 15) FA Cup, May 2018: Two seasons, two trophies for Conte as Chelsea defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup final, Eden Hazard scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. It proved Conte's last game in charge. AFP
    15) FA Cup, May 2018: Two seasons, two trophies for Conte as Chelsea defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup final, Eden Hazard scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. It proved Conte's last game in charge. AFP
  • 16) Uefa Europa League, 2018/19: Maurizio Sarri's brief time in charge is not remembered all that fondly but the Italian did deliver silverware with an emphatic 4-1 win over rivals Arsenal in the final after goals from Olivier Giroud, Pedro and a Hazard double. Alex Iwobi grabbed a consolation for Arsenal. AFP
    16) Uefa Europa League, 2018/19: Maurizio Sarri's brief time in charge is not remembered all that fondly but the Italian did deliver silverware with an emphatic 4-1 win over rivals Arsenal in the final after goals from Olivier Giroud, Pedro and a Hazard double. Alex Iwobi grabbed a consolation for Arsenal. AFP
  • 17) Uefa Champions League, May 2021: Thomas Tuchel wrote his name into Chelsea folklore by guiding the club to the Champions League title just five months after taking charge. Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game against a much-favoured Manchester City side. AFP
    17) Uefa Champions League, May 2021: Thomas Tuchel wrote his name into Chelsea folklore by guiding the club to the Champions League title just five months after taking charge. Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game against a much-favoured Manchester City side. AFP
  • 18) Fifa Club World Cup, February 2022: As part of the privilege of being European champions, Chelsea competed in the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi last month. The Blues lived up to their billing, defeating Palmeiras 2-1 after extra time in the final. Romelu Lukaku put Chelsea ahead only for Raphael Veiga to level from the spot. Havertz then converted a penalty deep in extra time to clinch it. If being crowned world champions proves to be the final achievement of Abramovich's era, it is a fitting tribute. AFP
    18) Fifa Club World Cup, February 2022: As part of the privilege of being European champions, Chelsea competed in the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi last month. The Blues lived up to their billing, defeating Palmeiras 2-1 after extra time in the final. Romelu Lukaku put Chelsea ahead only for Raphael Veiga to level from the spot. Havertz then converted a penalty deep in extra time to clinch it. If being crowned world champions proves to be the final achievement of Abramovich's era, it is a fitting tribute. AFP

Sport

Football

From League Cup to Club World Cup: The 18 major trophies Chelsea won under Abramovich

Russian billionaire put club up for sale last week and looks set to draw the curtain on an illustrious era

Jon Turner

March 07, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

It is expected to be the end of an era at Stamford Bridge after it was announced last week that Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has put the club up for sale.

Abramovich took ownership of Chelsea in the summer of 2003 and set about transforming the club from occasional contenders and trophy winners to the most successful club in England. During his 19 years, the Blues have won 18 major trophies, starting with the 2005 League Cup and potentially concluding with the Fifa Club World Cup last month in Abu Dhabi.

The photo gallery above details all 18 trophies in chronological order. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Chelsea's 32 most expensive signings of the Abramovich era

  • Nemanja Matic £22.5m (from Benfica, 2013). AFP
    Nemanja Matic £22.5m (from Benfica, 2013). AFP
  • Juan Mata £23.5m (from Valencia, 2011). AP
    Juan Mata £23.5m (from Valencia, 2011). AP
  • Baba Rahman £24.3m (from Augsburg, 2015). Getty
    Baba Rahman £24.3m (from Augsburg, 2015). Getty
  • Pedro £24.3m (from Barcelona, 2015). EPA
    Pedro £24.3m (from Barcelona, 2015). EPA
  • Oscar £25m (from Internacional, 2012). Reuters
    Oscar £25m (from Internacional, 2012). Reuters
  • Ricardo Carvalho £27m (from Porto, 2004). PA
    Ricardo Carvalho £27m (from Porto, 2004). PA
  • Shaun Wright-Phillips £28.35m (from Manchester City, 2005).
    Shaun Wright-Phillips £28.35m (from Manchester City, 2005).
  • Juan Cuadrado £29.7m (from Fiorentina, 2014). Getty
    Juan Cuadrado £29.7m (from Fiorentina, 2014). Getty
  • Cesc Fabregas £29.7m (from Barcelona, 2014). Getty
    Cesc Fabregas £29.7m (from Barcelona, 2014). Getty
  • Willian £30m (from Anzhi Makhachkala, 2013). Reuters
    Willian £30m (from Anzhi Makhachkala, 2013). Reuters
  • David Luiz £31.5m (from PSG, 2016). Getty
    David Luiz £31.5m (from PSG, 2016). Getty
  • Antonio Rudiger £31.5m (from Roma, 2017). PA
    Antonio Rudiger £31.5m (from Roma, 2017). PA
  • Eden Hazard £32m (from Lille, 2011). Reuters
    Eden Hazard £32m (from Lille, 2011). Reuters
  • N'Golo Kante £32.2m (from Leicester, 2016). AFP
    N'Golo Kante £32.2m (from Leicester, 2016). AFP
  • Danny Drinkwater £34.11m (from Leicester, 2017). Reuters
    Danny Drinkwater £34.11m (from Leicester, 2017). Reuters
  • Michael Essien £34.2 (from Lyon, 2005). AFP
    Michael Essien £34.2 (from Lyon, 2005). AFP
  • Diego Costa £34.2m (from Atletico Madrid, 2014). Reuters
    Diego Costa £34.2m (from Atletico Madrid, 2014). Reuters
  • Didier Drogba £34.6m (from Marseille, 2004). PA
    Didier Drogba £34.6m (from Marseille, 2004). PA
  • Michy Batshuayi £35.1m (from Marseille, 2016). Reuters
    Michy Batshuayi £35.1m (from Marseille, 2016). Reuters
  • Tiemoue Bakayoko £36m (from Monaco, 2017). Reuters
    Tiemoue Bakayoko £36m (from Monaco, 2017). Reuters
  • Hakim Ziyech £36m (from Ajax, 2020). AFP
    Hakim Ziyech £36m (from Ajax, 2020). AFP
  • Andriy Shevchenko £39.5m (from AC Milan, 2006). Getty
    Andriy Shevchenko £39.5m (from AC Milan, 2006). Getty
  • Mateo Kovacic £40m (from Real Madrid, 2019). AFP
    Mateo Kovacic £40m (from Real Madrid, 2019). AFP
  • Ben Chilwell £45m (from Leicester, 2020). PA
    Ben Chilwell £45m (from Leicester, 2020). PA
  • Timo Werner £47m (from RB Leipzig, 2020). EPA
    Timo Werner £47m (from RB Leipzig, 2020). EPA
  • Jorginho £50m (from Napoli, 2018). EPA
    Jorginho £50m (from Napoli, 2018). EPA
  • Fernando Torres £50m (from Liverpool, 2011). PA
    Fernando Torres £50m (from Liverpool, 2011). PA
  • Christian Pulisic £57m (from Dortmund, 2019). EPA
    Christian Pulisic £57m (from Dortmund, 2019). EPA
  • Alvaro Morata £60m (from Real Madrid, 2017). Reuters
    Alvaro Morata £60m (from Real Madrid, 2017). Reuters
  • Kepa Arrizabalaga £71m (from Athletic Bilbao, 2018). Reuters
    Kepa Arrizabalaga £71m (from Athletic Bilbao, 2018). Reuters
  • Kai Havertz £72m (from Leverkusen, 2020). AFP
    Kai Havertz £72m (from Leverkusen, 2020). AFP
  • Romelu Lukaku £97.7m (From Inter, 2021). Getty
    Romelu Lukaku £97.7m (From Inter, 2021). Getty
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Tuesday:

Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
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Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

CHELSEA'S NEXT FIVE GAMES

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Updated: March 07, 2022, 9:47 AM
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