Was Chelsea on the verge of greatness before the Abramovich era?

In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, we travel back to Stamford Bridge at the turn of the millennium, exploring a Chelsea side full of flair, ambition, and continental influence—before the billions arrived. From FA Cup glory to a European semi-final and the Premier League’s first all-foreign XI, we chart the club’s evolution during one of its most intriguing transitional periods.

Join us as we unpack Chelsea’s rise from 90s underachievers to a team with real silverware ambitions. We revisit the pivotal roles of Ken Bates, Glenn Hoddle, Ruud Gullit, and Gianluca Vialli, and examine how key players like Gianfranco Zola, Dennis Wise, Mark Hughes, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink helped shape the club’s identity. Plus, we dive into the backlash, the Full Members Cup, and the cultural shift in English football that made Chelsea both admired and controversial.

How close was this side to true greatness? Tune in and find out.

Takeaways:

• The legacy of Ken Bates and the Hoddle-Gullit-Vialli managerial transition
• Why Chelsea’s continental approach sparked both innovation and criticism
• The significance of the 1997 and 2000 FA Cup wins
• How signings like Zola and Hasselbaink redefined Chelsea’s playing style
• The strategic shift that foreshadowed the Abramovich revolution

🎧 Listen now and rank this Chelsea side’s place in football history with us.

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No New Episode This Week – But We’re Not Done Yet!

Graham and Jamie are missing in action — ambushed by the day job and temporarily subbed off by the work/life gods. So, sadly, no new episode this week.

But don’t worry — By Far The Greatest Team returns next Thursday, 22nd May, for the big Season 3 run-in, featuring:

• Gianluca Vialli’s silverware-stacking Chelsea
• Curbishley’s flying Charlton Athletic
• Steve Double on England at Italia ’90
• Our end-of-season Greatness Promotion & Relegation Special, with help from returning favourites like Phil Craig

And then…Season 4 is just around the corner flag— which promises to be our greatest ever. Or at least a solid mid-table finish with European ambitions.

Thanks for sticking with us — see you next week!

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Where do The Entertainers — Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United — Rank in the scale of greatness?

Was Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United the greatest team never to win the Premier League? In this episode, Graham and Jamie and joined by lifelong Newcastle Unite fan, Simon Brunskill to relive the highs, heartbreaks, and head-spinning football of The Entertainers era — a team that captured imaginations and nearly conquered English football.

In the early 1990s, Newcastle United were a club in crisis. But under the electric leadership of Kevin Keegan and the backing of Sir John Hall, they were transformed into one of the most thrilling sides in Premier League history. In this episode, Graham and Jamie explore how Keegan reshaped Newcastle from relegation contenders into fearless title challengers. They dive into the unforgettable moments — from Andy Cole’s goalscoring heroics to Alan Shearer’s record signing, and that 4-3 classic against Liverpool.

The conversation unpacks the emotional rollercoaster of the 1995–96 season, the heartbreak of losing out to Manchester United, the raw intensity of Keegan’s famous “I would love it” interview, and the bittersweet handover to Kenny Dalglish. It’s a story of ambition, attacking football, and the unbreakable bond between a city and its club.

Takeaways:

• Kevin Keegan led Newcastle from the brink of relegation to Premier League contenders.
• The club’s transformation was fuelled by John Hall’s vision and major investment.
• Newcastle played thrilling, attacking football — earning the nickname The Entertainers.
• Key figures included Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, and Alan Shearer.
• The 1995–96 title race with Manchester United was one of the most iconic in PL history.
• Keegan’s emotional leadership style captured the passion of the fans and the city.
• Despite not winning the league, the team’s legacy endures as one of English football’s most beloved sides.

📲 Subscribe to By Far The Greatest Team for more iconic stories, unforgettable teams, and deep dives into football’s most emotional eras!

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If you enjoy these podcasts, please don't forget to subscribe and give us a rating and also tell everyone about them!