da dobrowin： GOAL looks back at the very best Blues home kits of all time…
da pixbet： Based in what is traditionally one of London's trendiest neighbourhoods, Chelsea have always had close links with the fashion world. Their simple navy blue home kits have always had a classy quality to them, with the likes of Umbro, Le Coq Sportif, adidas and Nike all taking up the mantle of designer over the years, with varying degrees of success.
From the simplicity of the early to mid-1970s, the innovation of the 80s and the geometric patterns of the 90s to the modern era, the Blues have worn plenty of memorable kits.
But which are the greatest Chelsea home kits of all time? As the Blues unveil their new shirt for the 2023-24 season, GOAL runs through its top 10 below…
Getty102011-12: Champions League glory
This was a divisive kit when it was released by adidas ahead of the 2011-12 season, as it broke from tradition with larger white patches on the sleeves and shorts. Chelsea endured a largely forgettable Premier League season while wearing it, too, with Andre Villas-Boas sacked and replaced by Roberto Di Matteo.
But, against all odds, the Blues pulled off a remarkable FA Cup and Champions League double at the end of the campaign, ending their long wait to claim Europe's top crown. This strip will never be forgotten as a result.
Advertisement91993-94: The one with Amiga
You might hate to admit it, but the Amiga sponsor adds so much to Chelsea's 1993-94 home shirt. If you're wondering, Amiga was a family of PCs released by previous main shirt sponsor Commodore, the American home electrics manufacturer.
Umbro's understated diagonal pattern makes for a very fine shirt all told, and this is one of the most recent home strips to feature a bigger splash of red. Chelsea would wear the same shirt the following year, but with Coors taking over as front-of-shirt sponsors.
Getty81981-83: French sophistication
This was the first Chelsea shirt to feature pinstripes, and French designers Le Coq Sportif pulled them off with optimum subtlety. You can always rely on the French when it comes to fashion!
However, on the pitch this was a torrid time for the club. In their first season wearing the shirt, the Blues finished 12th in the old Second Division, before narrowly avoiding relegation to the third tier a year later as they finished 18th – their lowest ever position in the Football League.
Getty72003-05: A new beginning
The kit that coincided with Roman Abramovich's arrival at Stamford Bridge and the immediate success that would follow. Having reached a Champions League semi-final and come second in the Premier League in 2003-04 with Claudio Ranieri at the helm, Chelsea would storm to a first league title in 50 years under Jose Mourinho the following season, and came within Luis Garcia's infamous 'ghost goal' of beating Liverpool to Istanbul.
A kit that is beautiful in its simplicity with a white V-neck collar, the old 'CFC' and lion badge, and classy Emirates sponsor. It will always be remembered.