20 years on: Looking back at Jose Mourinho's first Premier League title with Chelsea

Enzo Maresca is making waves at Chelsea this season. The Italian manager has revitalised the club with his progressive approach, and while dreams of a Premier League title may be ambitious in his first season, the Premier League betting odds have his side down for a top four finish in his first year at Stamford Bridge, while the Blues are also favourites to win the Europa Conference League.

Maresca’s impressive start has brought much-needed stability to Chelsea in the chaotic Todd Boehly era.

The American owner’s ruthlessness in sacking managers has left the club in turmoil at times, but the former Manchester City assistant and Leicester City boss has instilled a sense of unity and maturity within the squad. For the first time in years, Chelsea’s foundations feel secure.

Yet, as impressive as Maresca’s start has been, it pales in comparison to the seismic impact José Mourinho had when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge.

Two decades have passed since Mourinho's Chelsea side lifted their first Premier League trophy in the 2004/05 season, and his revolutionary changes remain a benchmark for what a foreign manager can achieve in England’s top flight.

In this article, we look back at the defining traits of Mourinho’s first Chelsea side and how they became one of the greatest teams in Premier League history.

A winning mentality

When Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2004, he came as a Champions League winner with Porto and declared himself "The Special One." It wasn’t just bravado—his impact was immediate, and he was a breath of fresh air for the league.

Chelsea’s summer signings were transformative. Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho, and Arjen Robben all played pivotal roles in elevating the team.

Mourinho’s side announced their intentions in their first league game, beating Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge against a United team who had already been deprived of last season’s title by Arsenal’s Invincibles.

It set the tone for the season, as Chelsea carried that momentum forward, racking up 29 wins and losing just once in the league. The new manager’s relentless focus on results and belief in his methods instilled a winning mentality that became the hallmark of the team. Chelsea players didn’t just want to win—they expected to.

A dressing room of leaders

Mourinho was fortunate to inherit a squad brimming with talent, but he took it to another level by fostering leadership within the dressing room. John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba were the spine of the team, and though they were only in their mid-twenties, they thrived under Mourinho’s guidance.

The addition of Claude Makelele gave Chelsea unparalleled control in midfield, while Mourinho also brought trusted lieutenants from his Porto team, Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira, to shore up the defence.

That blend of youthful hunger and experienced composure made Chelsea a formidable force. After beating Liverpool in the League Cup final, they were always going to lift the Premier League come May.

Each player took responsibility on and off the pitch, creating a team where individual brilliance was combined with leaders, and it took Chelsea to an impressive 95 points in the league – losing just one domestic game to City all season.

A disciplined approach

Chelsea’s success in 2004/05 was built on an unyielding defensive discipline. They set Premier League records that still stand today, conceding just 15 goals and keeping 25 clean sheets across the season. Petr Cech was an integral part of this achievement, producing some extraordinary performances in goal.

The Blues were organised to perfection, with every player understanding their role in the defensive setup. Opponents found it nearly impossible to break them down.

For context, Liverpool are currently leading the Premier League title race at the time of writing, but Arne Slot’s side have already conceded four more goals in half the games Chelsea played during Mourinho’s record-setting season.

It’s a testament to how extraordinary Mourinho’s Chelsea were—and how unlikely those defensive records are to be matched.

Twenty years on, as Chelsea find their way back to the top under Maresca, Mourinho’s influence remains a reminder of what’s possible when a club fully embraces a manager’s vision. For Chelsea fans, his impact over two spells at the club make him a legend in west London.