Blues players and Jose Mourinho speak after title win
Chelsea players and Jose Mourinho have all spoken to the media after securing the Premier League title thanks to a 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues went into Sunday’s game knowing a victory would be enough to crown them champions and an Eden Hazard goal right on half-time was enough for all three points.
It’s been a superb season for Chelsea from start to finish, and they have now been crowned champions with three games remaining with Arsenal unable to catch them now.
After the game, several Chelsea figures spoke to the likes of BBC and Sky Sports, and here is what they all had to say.
Chelsea captain John Terry speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. We’ve worked so hard, so to get over the line is great. It was a bit nervy – they are a good side and made it difficult. Thankfully Eden got the goal and we won the game.
“One person said – they know who they are – I couldn’t play twice in a week and I proved them wrong. I’ve got great players and a great manager.
“This is what I live for. It’s been five years since we’ve won it. The first one was special and you go four or five years without it and that hurts. So I’ll really enjoy it today.”
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, speaking to Sky Sports: “This one is sweet. Chelsea will always be my number one club. It’s my third time to win it in front of the fans and it’s amazing. What next? A good rest and a good celebration!
Chelsea forward Eden Hazard added: “We deserve to be champions, and everyone at Chelsea is happy today. The manager gives me a lot of feelings and I can play my best football on the pitch which is the most important thing. I know the team need me and a player like me. I am here to score, and this season all the players did well.”
Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta speaking to the BBC: “This is a very big moment, we deserve it, as a team we have been looking forward to this moment.
“We know the quality of the Premier League and it is tough, every game is difficult. To have a 16-point advantage and win it with three games to go is not an easy thing to do.
“Mourinho is a very big influence – we needed him. He has come to this team, we have won two trophies this year and we want to go and win more trophies. For me he has confidence in me and I am grateful to him.”
Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic talking to BBC Sport: “It is special to me. I played almost every game and I am very happy for the club, the fans and my team-mates. We still have three games and we are champions.
“It was very important to win because it is better to finish when you have the opportunity.
“I couldn’t believe (the scenes at the final whistle), I thought it was a dream. When you see how many good teams play in this league, we are proud.
“This is why we play our football. We showed we have a winning mentality.”
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois talking to BBC Sport: “I came to Chelsea to win the title and it is great to do it in the first year.
“It will be nice and relaxed in training now. It makes it more special doing it in front of your fans. Maybe if Arsenal had lost tomorrow, we would have been champions in our home and that is not the same.
“The last four games I have played, I have kept a clean sheet. That shows we are defending well.”
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, speaking to Sky Sports: “I come back to work the best I can and give everything I can to be champions which is a consequence of that work and dedication. When I came back I knew that I was coming back to the most difficult league to win in the world of football. And we’ve done it. I had my family just behind the bench and I could hug and kiss them. I let the players enjoy it on the pitch.
“Crystal Palace were fantastic with the way they have played. They were like they need the game to be champions or to not be relegated. For a team that is middle of the table that is fantastic and is the nature of football here. From day one to today nobody gave us anything. Everything we got we deserved.
“Every title is a consequence of hard work and a reason to be happy and proud. I can’t evaluate and say which was one more important. This was my last title and I try to get another one. The group starts with the Capital One Cup and the Premier League but we know in future it’s very difficult and other teams will come even stronger. England’s not the best country to be a force and dominate football.”
Jose Mourinho, speaking to BBC Sport: “I am very happy and proud. I need a rest, I’m tired. It’s not easy to cope with that, but finally mathematically we are champions now. Finally we can breathe, relax and enjoy. We can look back and see how much we deserve to be champions. I think last season we were building something. This season there was work ethic, group ethic and principles with more stability and a few players we brought here gave us some qualities we didn’t have.
“I always thought when the season started, and then winning match after match, I was feeling the team would be ready. I knew the work ethic would be there and the spirit would be there. The mentality in key moments in the season was there. I thought we had everything to win the title.”
More from Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on BBC Sport: “I don’t compare with the past, no. I can say it’s very difficult, because the Premier League is changing and everything gets stronger, it’s impossible to be beat some teams 8-0 or 6-0. You saw Crystal Palace come here with a fantastic attitude.
“Maybe in other countries they do not bring this to the game. They gave an exact image of the Premier League and the nature of the competition. The English game is still my favourite. I could be smarter and like other mangers choose teams and countries where it’s easy to be champions, where they can enjoy calmly their success. I choose a country where it’s difficult to win and a club without a big tradition of winning Premier League titles because the last one was in 2010. I choose a difficult job.”
