Chelsea break Premier League wins record on last day of the season

Chelsea’s 5-1 win against Sunderland on Sunday saw the Blues finish the season with 30 wins, breaking the Premier League record.

The previous wins record had been 29, also held by Chelsea in both their 2004/5 and 2006/7 seasons. They were also only three points away from breaking the record for most points won in a season.

This victory can be added to the many successes that Antonio Conte and his men have enjoyed this season. Conte took very little time to settle into life at Chelsea and since October his team have been almost unstoppable. They bounced back from a 3-0 defeat away to Arsenal by going on a 13-game unbeaten run which saw them six points clear at the top of the table after the Christmas period.

Since then, Chelsea have not dropped out of the top spot. They have dominated the league. With an FA Cup final still to play as well, the season could become even sweeter.

Chelsea have also fostered individual talents – perhaps an even bigger achievement when you consider how underwhelming last season was. Players such as Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso have proven critics wrong and been great additions to the squad, allowing Conte’s 3-4-3 vision to come to life. David Luiz is another player who, despite being seen as a poor signing in the summer, has helped Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta to re-establish a defence that is very hard to break down.

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The other new Chelsea player worth mentioning is N’golo Kante, of course. The midfielder has won three awards this season: the PFA Player of the Year, the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year, and most recently, the Premier League Player of the Year. He has been a hero of this team and controlled the midfield in almost every game he played.

Even Michy Batshuayi, who has been working hard to prove himself all season, contributed to Chelsea winning the league. It was his goal against West Brom which secured the title for the Blues. It most probably hasn’t satisfied his ambitions, but it should at least mean he’s rewarded with more game time next season.

As well as new talent, some of Chelsea’s more experienced players have also shone. Cesar Azpilicueta has played every minute of every league game this season: he is only the fourth defender to play every minute of a title-winning season.

Thibaut Courtois also won an individual award. His 16 clean sheets secured him the Golden Glove which he was given on Sunday. Eden Hazard is on the shortlist for the Goal of the Season. Gary Cahill became the second highest defender in Premier League history (behind only John Terry). Players like Pedro, Cesc Fabregas, Willian and Diego Costa have also made countless important contributions.

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Chelsea’s season has been a true team effort. Their hard work has been rewarded. Teams like Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Liverpool may have fallen short, but they will most certainly be focusing on competing again next season. Chelsea will have to work hard to retain the trophy.

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