When Jose left and Avram Grant became the new manager, most of us thought that Chelsea would become a Liverpool but without Champions League success, yet Chelsea have managed to challenge for the EPL title & have reached the CL final.

So for me yeah, they definitely did.

If Chelsea end up winning nothing this year........it will be right in line with my CURRENT expectations

Not really. At the beginning of the season I expected them to be one of the heavy hitters. When Mourinho left I thought it would be the beginning of the end. I didn't take into account, however, that the players were still there and that they still have the spending power. Mourinho was just one part, though I thought integral, of the whole puzzle. Credit to him though for forming that team and having all those big names work together. Grant inherited a great team to begin with who are tried and tested in England and Europe. He's done well to focus on football and dismiss all the negative press he's received so credit to him as well. Bottom line is that it'll take more than Mourinho leaving to signal the collapse of Chelsea as being legitimate contenders in all competitions. They have the strength, talent, depth, and most importantly, money to keep competing at the highest level. They could stick a monkey in the manager's chair and they will still probably do well.

They did

I think he's more of a slug than a monkey though... Monkeys are at least entertaining.

Well i predicted Chelsea to win the title - with Grant in charge - so that concludes my answer.

Well Said Mate...

Not a big fan of Chelsea and the way they achieved their success, but ill give em credit from coming out of nowhere to push United to the brink. They fell short at the end and it was never in their hands but they've earned my respect in the way they hung on this season. Also props to Avram for how he has behaved during the season when he was getting clobbered by the fans win/lose or draw.

yeah thats a good point BMJ.

Avram Grant has shown the rest of the 'top bosses' how to behave with respect, dignity and class.

even if he never manages Chelsea again i feel that he has made his mark. just because he is no media whore he gets vilified by the media time and time again and even by his own fans and yet he gets on with his job in a manner that a certain few others could learn a lot from.

i wish him every success in whatever his next move happens to be.