Chelsea fans lined the streets yesterday to celebrate their Premier League triumph, as manager Jose Mourinho began looking to a successful title defence.
The Blues crowned their victorious season by beating Sunderland 3-1 on Sunday thanks to a double from Loic Remy and a Diego Costa penalty.
They were presented with the Premier League trophy straight after the game in a shower of blue and white tickertape, and then celebrated with an open top bus tour of west London yesterday.
But although they finished eight points clear of Manchester City and had wrapped up the title with three games to go, Mourinho knows there is work to be done to ensure the same scenes in 12 months’ time.
“We have to be better if we want to be successful again,” he told Chelsea TV.
“The other opponents are not going to accept this without a fight.
“Next year will be more difficult, but because it’s difficult is one of the reasons why I came back to England.
“I will enjoy it again.”
He did say he was up for the challenge and that fans should put next year’s victory parade in their diaries.
”Thank you for everything, for all your support,” he added.
“Book another place for the parade next season. I hope we can give you that. ”
Saturday’s game is likely to have been the last in a Chelsea shirt for in-demand goalkeeper Petr Cech, while it also saw Didier Drogba end his Blues career.
The 37-year-old striker played the opening 30 minutes before being carried off by his team-mates, ending with 164 goals in 382 games.
He reiterated Mourinho’s comments about the team needing to be better, but looked toward youth as well.
“The team needs to be stronger next year to compete in the Champions League,” he said.
“They are going to buy new players. Also we have young players coming up in Dominic Solanke, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nathan Ake, all these boys. They need to play.”
Feature image courtesy of Chelsea Football Club, via Youtube
