N’Golo Kante
Congratulations on the win, Thomas. Was that as perfect a night you can get?
“It was a very strong performance and outstanding result. We knew we had to be patient but, at the same time, we were responsible for the rhythm and intensity and we had to take care of the details: when to accelerate the game, when we can be sharper than in the first match. The team did this and it was a great performance from everybody. Credit to the players. What an effort and attitude. To score so many goals against a team that defend so well is an amazing achievement. Fantastic evening for us with a great result and it’s important now to enjoy it, but not get carried away. Tomorrow is a day off for the players and they fully deserve it. From Thursday afternoon, we prepare for the next match. We will keep our feet on the ground but it was a very, very strong match.”
Some people have called you a defensive team. Do results like tonight prove otherwise?
“I don’t listen too much to what people say about us. I feel into my team and staff what we feel comfortable [with] and I think us from day one very brave in our approach to defending. We had instantly a lot of ball possession and from there we tried to create chances and to be dangerous. Then comes a new season and we try to recreate it. The group is a bit new and things are like this, in some moments things come easier and you catch momentum. This is clearly the case now and full credit to the guys. We are not worried what people say about us. We want to be strong in all parts of this game. It is a complex game: some moments you have to defend strong and some you find the spaces to attack a bit easier than others. It is so complex and we do this together. It stays a team effort and it is the outstanding characteristic of this team. It is a strong group, a determined group, a hungry group, and it’s a pleasure to coach them. So full credit to them and from here we go. There is no need to get carried away and we want to continue.”
Did the injury to Ben Chilwell take the gloss off the performance a little given it looked serious?
“Yes because he was in such a fantastic moment like Reece [James] on the other side. They have been in the best shape they could possibly be; so strong and full of confidence, such a lot of quality. He was in a lot of pain, now he feels a bit better. We have an examination tomorrow to be a bit more precise and we hope for the best. Hopefully, we get away with fingers crossed, with not too bad news. N’Golo was the same. He got stronger and stronger in the first half then twisted his knee a little bit. So hopefully, it is not too bad.”
That was your 50th game in charge, how near the top of the 50 was that performance and can you retain the Champions League?
“We need to do it step by step. We had to step up from our first performance that was very clear. We did. We were not on our highest level we lacked sharpness quality and form in the first match. That can happen and you get punished for it. We knew where we wanted to be stronger. We were absolutely stronger in this second leg. It was a very nice match for a 50th match. I was not aware of it. Fantastic match. 50 times already. It is a pleasure to be at the club every single day. It is a pleasure to be part of this team that has a fantastic attitude, is determined, hungry and we want to keep this energy and atmosphere in the group. It is very important everyone enjoys their free day and on Thursday we need to refocus and Friday Saturday the whole focus is on Sunday. The challenges are coming and it is good. It keeps us going.
Is the win just that little big sweeter for the club given three of the goalscorers were academy graduates?
“Yes, the crowd loves it and I am convinced everybody loves it. This is what makes teams special. Not only the superstars and the best players from abroad which we also have. It is the mix and to have talented and humble guys from the academy full of quality and it is their biggest dream to perform at Stamford Bridge to perform in blue, to be part of a strong Chelsea team. This is so nice to be part of it. It is another excellent day for the academy. Full credit to them. It is a pleasure to have these boys and I strongly believe that this is a huge part of the success that we have this mix between home-grown talented top players.”
