Porto: Cesar Azpilicueta says Chelsea want to create “special things” as they look to build on their stunning Champions League success on Saturday when Kai Havertz’s goal was enough to overcome favorites Manchester City in Porto.
No sooner was the club’s second Champions League in nine years secured, manager Thomas Tuchel was already declaring the club wanted more trophies.
And captain Azpilicueta, who joined the club in 2012 after their previous triumph in Munich when they beat hosts Bayern Munich, said: “When you play for a club like Chelsea, you always think in the future.”
“That’s done, we are very happy, we will celebrate, we are champions of Europe again after nine years, second time in our history,” he said.
“But football is like this, the ones who go to the Euros get a new challenge ahead of us, we will come back in the Premier league, we didn’t finish where we wanted to finish, and we want to fight for everything.
A defeat to Aston Villa on the last Premier League match day had threatened to keep Chelsea out of the Champions League places before Leicester’s late collapse meant the London club finished fourth.
“At Chelsea, I always learned that we go for every single game, fight for every single trophy and I’m pleased that I could get my hands on the trophy that I missed before,” said Azpilicueta.
“A few months ago, lots of people doubted the quality of the team and we created a special bond and we did it.”
“I’m so pleased because when we had to suffer, we stepped up as a team and of course we want to do special things.”
Since Tuchel arrived in January to replace Frank Lampard, he has also guided Chelsea to an FA Cup final. Azpilicueta, 32, admitted the 1-0 defeat to Leicester at Wembley spurred his side in the Champions League showpiece.
“Losing a final, of course it hurts a lot, I wish we could have won both, the FA Cup and the Champions League,” he added.
“But we didn’t and we took this energy, we suffered 16 days ago, what it meant to lose a final and it hurts. You don’t want to be on the losing side.
“The first trophy as a captain is something really special, it took three finals and the fourth was the right one, the big one, I’m so happy.
Azpilicueta said the win was not just down to the players, but every member of the Chelsea staff, many who have toiled behind the scenes.
“There were only a few of us lucky enough to be on the pitch, but the preparation from everybody, the staff, was amazing and I think it made the difference,” he said.
“This win was from the whole group. I know how difficult it can be to be left out when we have so much competition in the squad. But everyone left their ego, they helped the team.”
“I was proud to lead the team out but, as I said before the game, I wanted to be prouder,” he added. “We are part of the history of Chelsea and then we will go for the next challenge.”
While Spain international Azpilicueta praised a team effort, he lauded the impressive individual display of defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante, who has missed parts of this campaign through injury.
Asked if there was anyone better in the world than the France star in his position, Azpilicueta said: “No. He does everything with the energy he brings.
“I don’t know how many ball recoveries he had, the way he dragged the ball forward, covered so much ground, he’s special to have him,” he said.
“When we didn’t have him, we missed him, but of course as well after winning the World Cup, the Champions League, he is still so humble as a person.
Meanwhile, City’s players have also vowed to come back from this disappointing loss.
Full-back Kyle Walker tweeted: “We gave everything to make our fans proud and I’m sorry it wasn’t enough to bring the trophy home for you. We will be back stronger.”
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne suffered a fractured nose and eye socket after a collision with Chelsea center-back Antonio Rudiger.
And he revealed: “I feel okay now. Still disappointed about yesterday obviously but we will be back.”
