• Starred in Chelsea FC's UEFA Champions League triumph, making a dozen appearances in the competition and producing high-class displays in the semi-final versus FC Barcelona and showpiece against FC Bayern München, scoring a crucial penalty in the shoot-out.

• Became the first footballer to win the FA Cup seven times as Chelsea defeated Liverpool FC 2-1 in the 2012 final; his first success in the competition had come a decade earlier in the colours of Arsenal FC.

• Appeared at his fifth major tournament for England, but missed his spot-kick in the quarter-final penalty shoot-out against Italy to mar a fine tournament; won his 99th cap in the October FIFA World Cup qualifier away to Poland.