The end of an era clung to Chelsea as the players made their exit from Wembley Stadium and it stretched beyond Roman Abramovich and the change of ownership.
There was Antonio Rudiger, on his way to Real Madrid, reflecting on five years in London, where he ‘became a man’ and a father, won the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
‘Chelsea will always be a special place for me,’ said Rudiger, 29. ‘Five years, ups and downs but a lot of positive things. That’s why I’m even more frustrated, I wanted a different ending.