- How significant is the victory in Chelsea in the first tournament of the season - the League Cup?
- Winning any trophy is important, especially in mid-February. This gives additional confidence to the finish of the championship. And also in the Champions League and the Cup of the country, where the most important meetings are yet to come.
- What did you think when, at the end of the fight with Arsenal, John Terry, falling as a mowed man, received this terrible injury?
- He’s a flint guy. Therefore, at first he was not worried about him. But, seeing the reaction of the players on the field, I realized: something serious had happened. It was like the moment I got injured, which I certainly don’t remember. But what it looks like, I saw in Cardiff. This is not to say that I prayed for John's salvation; just mentally wished him health.
- Do you think you have already scored the optimal form?
- I think yes. I’ve been playing well lately and don’t think about injury anymore. I also feel great during training. With physical condition, too, complete order.
- During the matches do you manage to ignore that unfortunate episode in Reading?
- On the field, I surrender to the power of football. I'm trying to concentrate completely on the game. In the first match after the injury, it may have been difficult, but since then I have already played more than a dozen games. All is well, and I have completely forgotten about my damage.
- This season your team has to catch up with Manchester United, which must be a little unusual for you. Did this change the mentality of the players?
“I don't think so.” It seems to me that it doesn’t matter whether you go first or second - you still need to win. The leader seeks to maintain a separation, and the pursuer, accordingly, to eliminate him. One way or another, winning is required in every match.
- And what, in your opinion, is the situation with self-confidence in Chelsea compared with the previous two seasons?
“I think she’s still here.” Team spirit and ambition are also in place. It’s just that we didn’t have as many injuries as now. This season the infirmary is crowded, many serious injuries. But in the absence of a number of key players, I think we managed not to sit in a puddle; the backlog of six points at least did not increase. I hope that in the end we will be able to catch up and overtake the leader.
- Concluding the hospital topic, we note that many of the injuries happened to players representing the last frontiers of the team’s defense.
- I don’t know why today it’s the central defenders and goalkeepers that have broken more often than others. Of course, for a coach and a team this is a pretty headache. But we, I think, have adequately got out of the situation thanks to Essien's brilliant game in the place of the central defender.
- And was there no fear of entering the season with just three central defs?
- Did not have. After all, in truth, we used to always get along with two players of this role. But when an epidemic of injuries sets in, you begin to realize that two is not enough. Fortunately, the team showed character and, I think, did it.
- Talk about forwards. How important is it for the “blue” that Andriy Shevchenko has finally found himself?
- To come to a new country and immediately start scoring is always difficult. Didier Drogba, I remember, took a couple of months to adapt. Andrei, I think, is the same. But be that as it may, it’s great when there are two forwards who can score not just at any moment, but at the right time.
- You brilliantly adapted in English football in the first season. Apparently, it is more difficult for legionnaire attackers to adapt to the Premier League?
“It's important to get started.” A successful start gives much-needed confidence with which you can move on and solve any problems.
- How valuable do you think the team is for Drogba this season?
- When I spent the second season in France, he scored about 30 goals for Marseille and, it seemed, there would be no end to this. He has the same surge this season. He does not turn out of the fight, presses the defenders so that he doesn’t seem to be enough. Well, and most importantly, as I said, he scores goals at the right time.
- Now a little about your coach. Jose Mourinho is an extremely colorful character whose surname is always full of newspaper headlines. Does this somehow affect the team?
- I think the most important thing for us is what we do on the field, and how he coaches the team. As he was for us, he remained so. We know his approach to work and the philosophy of the game - what is required of us on the field. Yes, his name doesn’t leave the editorials. But, I think, the players from this are definitely not in the way; taking fire on himself, he kind of relieves the pressure from the whole team.
“How does it feel to play for him?”
- When you work with a coach who inspires confidence in you, you yourself begin to believe in it and perceive it as an integral part of the club. And then for his sake, for your own sake, for the sake of the team, for the sake of the club you are ready to do everything to win. And we do it.
- April 15 will probably be the most important match in the Premier League - Chelsea - Manchester United. Do you think the fate of the title will be decided on this day?
- To approach this match with the current 6-point lag we can not. If we win against them, the question of the championship will remain open. I am sure: gold is on our shoulder. But, unfortunately, not everything depends on us. Hope so far.
- Let's move on to international affairs. Chelsea Champions League now tough
- I think yes. We have a great team, the spirit and ambitions of which allow us to defeat any opponent. The first trophy of the season - the League Cup - is already in our pocket, and we are not going to stop there.
- Which of the quarter-finalists of the Champions League impressed you the most?
- Hard to say. This season, perhaps, many can win the Champions League. A little surprised by how great Porto played. But, again, there are other teams that are able to win the main European club tournament. I hope that we will be lucky.
Translation by Andrey KARNAUKHOV