Mandatory Credit: Tom Russo-USA TODAY Sports

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFS) released their annual rankings of football clubs around the world and Chelsea FC finished third in the world behind Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. The IFFS base their rankings by looking at results from continental and intercontinental competitions, national league matches and national cup competitions. This is Chelsea’s second year in a row being considered the top club in England largely because of their Champions League victory in May of 2012.

Chelsea FC finished third in the Premier League last year but their trip to the FA Cup semifinals and the Europa League triumph surely improved their ranking by IFFS. The Blues have also made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League this season and their excellent record in the EPL, considered one of Europe’s toughest leagues, propelled them to the top.

Fellow English clubs Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City were all ranked with only the London clubs being placed in the top 15. Tottenham was helped by their form in the Europa League and City was hurt by their failure to advance past the group stages of the Champions League. How Manchester United ended up ranked 30th overall was a bit of a mystery considering the fact that they ran away with the Premier League last year. They did however not make it very far in either the FA Cup, Champions League, or even the League Cup last season. The Red Devils have also struggled mightily this season in every competition save for the Champions League.

Regardless of whether any real stock is put in to this ranking, which there likely is not, it is still nice to see your club at the top of any rankings system whether it is by UEFA or another independent organization. Chelsea FC still have much work to do to catch up to clubs like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in terms of historical prestige but in the here and now, they are every bit as big and important as their rivals.

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