Carlo Ancelotti was brought to Stamford Bridge to end Chelsea’s wait for the Champions League. But a masterful second leg display by eventual finalists and possible winners Inter made Chelsea look like a side that were further away from the holy grail than they’ve ever been.

However, the way they have reacted since that disappointment in Europe has been sublime. Not even the off-field behaviour of captain John Terry could prevent them from clinching the League and Cup double, as the Blues took maximum points from the rest of the big four contingent.

Didier Drogba led the way with thunderous strike after thunderous strike, while Florent Malouda had his best season since his arrival and played a pivotal part as Chelsea scored over a 100 league goals – the first side to do so in the Premier League era – to end Manchester United’s recent dominance.

Ageing players will have to be replaced, improvements are needed in Europe and in the

behaviour of certain players, but it wasn’t a bad debut season for Ancelotti. The sad thing is that he’ll have to go one better next season to keep the owner upstairs out of the dressing room.