Frank Lampard stated earlier this year that Chelsea were "not ready to compete" for the games' biggest titles following defeat to Leicester City on January 19.
Lampard may have been correct in thinking the Blues were not in the Premier League title race, but following the dismissal of the Chelsea club legend and the appointment of Thomas Tuchel, the club's fortunes took a dramatic upturn.
Defeat to Leicester in January came just days after a loss against Manchester City and left Chelsea in tenth spot at the midway point of the Premier League season. Lampard lasted just five more days in the Blues hot seat.
Chelsea's all-time top goalscorer was subsequently relieved of his duties and under Tuchel the club have soared up the league table and Saturday's stunning Champions League victory over Manchester City has only proved Lampard's words wrong.
Following the defeat to Leicester Lampard said: "I took this job knowing that there will be difficult times because it's not a club ready to compete."
Tuchel and the Chelsea players certainly did not see things in the same light as the 42-year-old.
Under the German's tutelage, the Blues went on to secure a top-four finish in the league that seemed unlikely under Lampard and a remarkable Champions League triumph.
Lampard admitted at the time that being manager of Chelsea brought a need to win trophies but played down his team's chances of lifting silverware.
"It's the expectations of this club. Whether I think it's right or wrong," he said. "As I said pre-match, we are not in the position of a Chelsea that we were in periods when we were winning leagues."
With Champions League winner's medals in their pockets, the Blues squad will be even more determined to end a four-year wait for the league title.
