Jose Mourinho praises players’ mental strength in Chelsea title surge

Jose Mourinho’s pride at the way Chelsea stormed to the Premier League is clear.

So, too, is his desire to kick on next season.

Last weekend’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace secured the Blues’ first Premier League crown in five years.

It was the third league title Mourinho has overseen during two spells at Stamford Bridge, and one secured with record-breaking dominance.

The Blues will end the season on top for a 274th successive day, underlining the dominance and consistency the Portuguese’s side have shown this term.

“It pleases me, the title, pleases me the way we did it and the consistency of being there from day one to the last day,” he said, ahead of welcoming Liverpool to Stamford Bridge today.

“That is absolutely fantastic, to keep that stability, that strength keeping us there all the time.

“There were difficult periods, where we lost points, where we lost matches, periods where we lost players.

“We went through all these problems to go from day one until the last day of the season.

“I am not counting the days, I am not trying to go for records.

“I just think for the boys to keep that stability also in their emotions because it is very important to keep stable emotionally during the season was fantastic.

“It was a title to remember, because of the title but also because of that stability from day one until the last day.”

Such dominance means bookmakers have already made Chelsea favourites to win the title again next term.

But Mourinho thinks it will be a tough ask to retain it.

“I think our rivals are very strong,” the Portuguese said.

“Next season they know what they want, and we know what they want, too.

“But we also know what we want and they know what we want.

“I think it will again be a very important season.”

Meanwhile, Mourinho has re-iterated his hope that Petr Cech remains at Stamford Bridge.

And the Blues manager certainly does not want him going to another Premier League side.

Arsenal has been speculated upon, but there seems little chance of Jose doing a deal with Arsene Wenger.

“One thing is Jose Mourinho and another is Mr Abramovich and another thing is the Board because the Board includes a little bit of me, a little bit of other people,” he said.

“But if it was me, if it was my decision, my decision is Petr to stay.”