Jose Mourinho believes the importance of experience within a title-chasing squad cannot be underestimated.
The Blues ended Sunday’s game at Arsenal with John Terry, Didier Drogba and Branislav Ivanovic, who were all part of the last Chelsea side to win the title in 2010, on the pitch, while both Petr Cech and John Mikel Obi were unused substitutes.
‘Petr was on the bench, but could perfectly be on the pitch,’ said Mourinho. ‘You know, for the older guys, it's also nice to belong to two different generations. If we are champions this season, Petr, Drogba and John, and also Mikel, they'll belong to two generations, the same as me.
‘It's nice to belong to the history of a club in different moments. If we manage to be champions, it's very nice for these older guys.’
With both Diego Costa and Loic Remy missing through injury in recent weeks, Drogba has been heavily involved, starting against QPR and Manchester United and then playing the second half at the Emirates.
What the Ivorian decides to do at the end of this season, however, should be his own decision, according to Mourinho.
‘I think it belongs to him: what he feels, what he thinks,’ said the Portuguese. ‘When they reach this age, I think it's more about them analysing themselves. It's not just about the body. It's about the body, the brain, the heart, family, projects for the future.
‘I think, this is a club thing. This is a Mr Abramovich thing. Mr Abramovich wants him to do what he wants in the club, but it's something Mr Abramovich has to tell him. He has to decide. But, obviously, he belongs to the history of this club. These guys are special players.’
The Blues boss feels his squad are gaining experience with every challenge, and says it’s not just the older players who can have an influence in the dressing room.
‘Ivanovic is experienced, Azpilicueta is getting experience, Hazard has been here for three years, Matic is getting experience,’ he explained. ‘Ruben Loftus-Cheek is 18 and he just arrived. In five years' time he will be 23, so I see this as a natural process.
‘We lost, at the end of last year, what I consider for sure, one of the five most important players in the history of Chelsea Football Club: Frank Lampard. We lost that player. But life goes on. You have to think about the future and build.
‘Because, with Frank Lampard, Chelsea lost a matchwinner with the number of goals he scored, a big character, a player without injuries who played every game, an absolutely amazing player. We lost him, but life goes on.’
The Blues ended Sunday’s game at Arsenal with John Terry, Didier Drogba and Branislav Ivanovic, who were all part of the last Chelsea side to win the title in 2010, on the pitch, while both Petr Cech and John Mikel Obi were unused substitutes.
‘Petr was on the bench, but could perfectly be on the pitch,’ said Mourinho. ‘You know, for the older guys, it's also nice to belong to two different generations. If we are champions this season, Petr, Drogba and John, and also Mikel, they'll belong to two generations, the same as me.
‘It's nice to belong to the history of a club in different moments. If we manage to be champions, it's very nice for these older guys.’
With both Diego Costa and Loic Remy missing through injury in recent weeks, Drogba has been heavily involved, starting against QPR and Manchester United and then playing the second half at the Emirates.
What the Ivorian decides to do at the end of this season, however, should be his own decision, according to Mourinho.
‘I think it belongs to him: what he feels, what he thinks,’ said the Portuguese. ‘When they reach this age, I think it's more about them analysing themselves. It's not just about the body. It's about the body, the brain, the heart, family, projects for the future.
‘I think, this is a club thing. This is a Mr Abramovich thing. Mr Abramovich wants him to do what he wants in the club, but it's something Mr Abramovich has to tell him. He has to decide. But, obviously, he belongs to the history of this club. These guys are special players.’
The Blues boss feels his squad are gaining experience with every challenge, and says it’s not just the older players who can have an influence in the dressing room.
‘Ivanovic is experienced, Azpilicueta is getting experience, Hazard has been here for three years, Matic is getting experience,’ he explained. ‘Ruben Loftus-Cheek is 18 and he just arrived. In five years' time he will be 23, so I see this as a natural process.
‘We lost, at the end of last year, what I consider for sure, one of the five most important players in the history of Chelsea Football Club: Frank Lampard. We lost that player. But life goes on. You have to think about the future and build.
‘Because, with Frank Lampard, Chelsea lost a matchwinner with the number of goals he scored, a big character, a player without injuries who played every game, an absolutely amazing player. We lost him, but life goes on.’
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