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      Cesar Azpilicueta already targeting Chelsea’s next silverware as hero captain flies back with Champions League trophy

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      CESAR AZPILICUETA is already targeting Chelsea’s next silverware after finally landing the Champions League.The Spaniard joined the Blues months after their first European Cup success in 2012.
      Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta enjoyed a coffee with the Champions League trophy this morningCredit: Instagram @cesarazpi
      Chelsea had some special baggage to take back with them to the UKCredit: Instagram @cesarazpi
      Azpilicueta had a special guest seated next to him on the flight backCredit: Instagram @cesarazpi
      He had to wait almost a decade to lift the jug-eared trophy himself which he did as skipper on Saturday following a 1-0 win over Manchester City.
      Azpilicueta is now off to the Euros with Spain hoping to win his first major international tournament – before returning to Stamford Bridge aiming to build on the triumph in Porto.
      The 31-year-old said: “When you play for a club like Chelsea, you always think about 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.
      “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.
      “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.
      “We will celebrate this, for a few days, the whole summer for the ones who don’t have the Euros!
      “But that’s gone, we are part of the history of Chelsea and then we will go for the next challenge.”
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      Olivier Giroud enjoyed breakfast with a view this morningCredit: Twitter @_OlivierGiroud_

      Kai Havertz’ 42nd-minute winner was enough to see off Pep Guardiola’s lacklustre City, who had surprisingly opted not to play a defensive midfielder.
      It was the ultimate team performance from Thomas Tuchel’s team who put their bodies on the line, led by their inspirational skipper.
      Chelsea’s season looked to be collapsing in January when Frank Lampard was sacked.
      But successor Tuchel managed something remarkable with this victory, along with a top-four spot and an FA Cup final appearance.
      Azpilicueta added: “It’s been a difficult, tough season, we ended it in the best way possible. It was well deserved.
      “I want to make sure the whole group felt involved, 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 made the difference.
      “Everyone left their ego, they helped the team and that’s the biggest thing for me with the guys up front, Timo (Werner), Kai and Christian (Pulisic) and the work they did for the team was incredible.”

      Chelsea are the Champions League winners after beating Manchester City 1-0
      Man-of-the-match N’Golo Kante epitomised that selflessness with another omnipresent display.
      The quiet Frenchman is now arguably the greatest holding midfielder in Premier League history, having won the competition twice with two different clubs, the FA Cup, the Europa League, the World Cup with France and now the Champions League.
      Speaking of his ‘humble’ team-mate, Azpilicueta added: “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. It’s special to have him.
      “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.
      “I’m so happy for him because he’s a massive part of this team and after a few years, I’m very happy to have him next to me.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      N’Golo Kante was at his brilliant best once again as he helped win the midfield battleCredit: Getty
      Olivier Giroud was treasuring his time with the Champions League trophy before the team left PortoCredit: Twitter @_OlivierGiroud_
      Cesar Azpilicueta and matchwinner Kai Havertz put in sublime performances
      Chelsea players celebrate their Champions League win in the dressing room More

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      Chelsea hero Thiago Silva slams PSG after Champions League win saying he was always blamed before praising Frank Lampard

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      CHELSEA’S Champions League winner Thiago Silva slammed former club Paris Saint-Germain after his European triumph. The Brazilian also heaped praise on former Blues boss Frank Lampard for bringing him to London.
      Thiago Silva celebrates with the Champions League trophyCredit: Getty
      Thiago Silva credits Frank Lampard’s role in bringing him to ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Silva hit out at PSG for the pressure on his shoulders during their unsuccessful attempts to win the Champions League.
      Speaking after Chelsea’s win over Manchester City, Silva told RMC Sport: “Every time Paris was eliminated, people tried to find a culprit and it was always me.
      “It’s a shame, I really gave everything.”
      The veteran defender added: “It’s the most important moment of my career, it’s unforgettable.
      “But it’s also a moment for recognition of everything Paris has done for me, but we failed to win it.
      “I’m very happy, and I hope that Paris will be able to get here soon.”
      After frustration with PSG, Silva finally got his hands on the Champions League trophy after their 1-0 win over the Premier League champions.
      Silva was forced off in the first half with a groin injury but it could not take the gloss of their European triumph.
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      And the defender was quick to praise Lampard for his impact in bringing him to Stamford Bridge.
      Silva said: “Tuchel changed everything, the team mentality. But it’s also important to talk about Lampard. 
      “Without him, it was difficult for me to win here, thanks to him for letting me sign here.”
      Gutted Silva limped off in the first half with a groin injuryCredit: AP

      Chelsea players celebrate their Champions League win in the dressing room More

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      Chelsea hero Mason Mount breaks down in tears after winning Champions League with boyhood club in emotional scenes

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      CHELSEA star Mason Mount broke down in tears after winning the Champions League final against Manchester City.The 22-year-old put in an excellent performance in Porto, assisting Kai Havertz’s winning goal to pick up the first major honour of his career.
      Mason Mount was emotional after Chelsea’s Champions League victoryCredit: Reuters
      The 22-year-old celebrates with his dad Tony (right)Credit: Getty

      Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Mount said: “I’ve played in two finals [before] for Chelsea and we’ve lost them both.
      “The way that hurt after the game, I’ve dreamt as a kid going all the way and making the final and winning it and winning a trophy – that’s what I’m all about, that’s what this club is about.
      “I know it [Chelsea] in and out – I’ve been there as a kid and now to go all the way in the Champions League final… I can’t put it into words.
      “At this moment in time, we’re the best team in the world – you can’t take that away from us.
      “My dad has just come down from the stands – I burst into tears seeing him. I thank my family for everything.”
      Mount’s excellent performance in the final caps of a great season for him, winning Chelsea’s Player of the Year award and earning a spot in Gareth Southgate’s provisional England squad for Euro 2020.
      The talented midfielder is likely to make the final squad when Southgate announces it ahead of the deadline on Tuesday.
      Mount has been at the Blues since the age of six, around the time the club won their first Premier League title under ex-boss Jose Mourinho in 2005.
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      He earned a spot in Chelsea’s first team the hard way, spending two years on loan at Dutch side Vitesse and Championship regulars Derby County.
      Mount has been an integral part of the team since Frank Lampard was appointed manager in July 2019 and has continued to perform under successor Thomas Tuchel.
      He’d endured terrible luck in finals before yesterday’s triumph, losing the 2019 Championship play-off final to Aston Villa as a Derby player, the 2019 Uefa Super Cup to Liverpool and back-to-back FA Cup finals to Arsenal and Leicester City respectively.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea boss Tuchel meets Abramovich for first time after Champions League win and admits it ‘can only get worse’ More

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      Chelsea needed to emulate fight and spirit of 2012 Champions League win… and did it without question against Man City

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      BEFORE the game kicked off in Porto last night, the biggest match that some of these players will ever play in, I was scouting the pitch to see which Chelsea players were going to stand up and be counted.We needed to emulate our underdog story from 2012 if we were going to repeat the triumph against Manchester City on Saturday night.
      Chelsea won their second Champions League crown on SaturdayCredit: Reuters
      We needed a Didier Drogba, we needed a Gary Cahill, we needed a Frank Lampard, we needed a John Obi Mikel, and we needed a Ryan Bertrand.
      But in a season that has been largely inconsistent for Chelsea, it was hard to see where the heroes would come from.
      It was hard to see the leaders on the pitch, the guys who would pull us over the line and pull off the impossible task of beating Manchester City three times in a row in the space of just a couple of months.
      Kai Havertz was first to step up and announce himself as Chelsea’s Drogba, playing well all game and grabbing the decisive goal in the first-half that would prove to be all Chelsea needed to win the match.
      He stepped up under pressure, kept his composure and scored the goal one-on-one with Ederson.
      This was the first sign that these Chelsea players were up for this, and they were not about to fold under the pressure.
      Truth be told, we had leaders all over the pitch last night with the likes of Jorginho, Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, Edouard Mendy, Reece James, and Mason Mount, and they will ALL go down as absolute Chelsea heroes now just as the lads from 2012 did.
      Bertrand in 2012 wasn’t even a regular starter for Chelsea that season, but he was bought in to play left midfield to give Chelsea that defensive solidity.
      Frank Lampard led Chelsea to glory in 2012 and played a part this time aroundCredit: Reuters
      The Blues needed to repeat Didier Drogba and Co’s heroics in PortoCredit: Reuters
      He went on to play the game of his life and was a big reason we managed to get the win against Bayern Munich that night.
      Ben Chilwell was our Ryan Bertrand last night, he was absolutely colossal going up and down that left flank.
      Although he has had a decent season overall, there were moments and some poor form where you thought he could lose his regular spot to Marcos Alonso. But now he’s a Champions League winner.
      But perhaps one of Chelsea’s unsung heroes from 2012 and a player that might have been underrated by some, was Cahill.
      As a defender, as a true centre back, Cahill was always your guy.
      And on that night in Munich, he literally spilt blood, sweat, and tears and defended his heart out to ensure that Chelsea won the match, he was making tackles and vital blocks all game.
      Chelsea’s Cahill could have been any one of the backline last night, but Rudiger literally busting a gut to block a shot that was destined for the back of the net and would have put Manchester City back in the game, made him our Cahill on the night, and these are the type of blocks that win you trophies.
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      Lampard played a massive part in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph this season by leading them out of the group stages and progressing in the knockout stages.
      Everyone will commend and remember his part in this.
      But he was also one of the heroes of 2012 in a playing capacity, again running everywhere and helping Chelsea try and keep the ball as much as they could, and also creating up the pitch.
      Who else was going to step up as Chelsea’s modern-day Lampard last night than Mount?
      He was insane, and it was his unreal through pass that put Havertz in to score the goal.
      How about the heartbeat of Chelsea’s team? The guy doing all the dirty work that may go unnoticed by some?
      In 2012, that was absolutely Mikel. Last night it was N’Golo Kante.
      He always puts in a shift, but somehow last night he managed to not only play like there were two of him on the pitch, but he played like there were three.
      The Manchester City players were constantly robbed of possession by a player who must surely be in for a shout of Ballon D’or now?
      N’Golo Kante is making a case to win the Ballon d’OrCredit: AP
      Mason Mount also put in a stunning display versus Manchester CityCredit: Reuters

      To sum up, Chelsea went in as the underdogs all through this competition, just as they did in 2012.
      They also changed managers halfway through the season, just as they did in 2012.
      And to win it as they did in 2012, they were going to have to do their best Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill, Ryan Bertrand, and John Obi Mikel impressions, and they absolutely did that – plus so much more.
      These guys will be the new Chelsea heroes for life, the class of 2021 joins the class of 2012.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea boss Tuchel meets Abramovich for first time after Champions League win and admits it ‘can only get worse’ More

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      Watch as Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger is helped up by ref before smoothly being handed yellow leaving fans in hysterics

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      SPANISH referee Mateu Lahoz pulled off a neat one-two with Antonio Rudiger during Saturday’s Champions League final.A slick piece of officiating saw the 44-year-old help up the Chelsea star while casually dishing out a yellow card.

      On 57 minutes, Blues ace Rudiger clattered into Kevin De Bruyne, forcing the Manchester City midfielder out of the game and possibly the Euros.
      It earned him a booking but only after he received treatment for a knock picked up in the collision.
      LaLiga official Lahoz calmly waited for the German to be seen to while holding the card.
      And he helped Rudiger to his feet while showing the yellow in one swift, satisfying movement.
      Fans were left chuckling by the display, Twitter fan Gaz writing: “Mike Dean could only dream of this.”
      Another commented: “Incredible mechanics and leverage technique.”
      While Michael tweeted: “It was a GOAT performance.”
      It capped a widely-praised performance from Lahoz, who has attracted criticism for his decision making in the past.
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      A penalty shout went against City during the 1-0 defeat as Reece James was judged not to have illegally handled the ball in his area.
      Speaking before the game, Lahoz stated: “Honestly, I never really imagined that, one day, I would referee a Champions League final.
      “Refereeing is happiness for me. And I think the key to being a referee is to always be yourself.
      “When you referee a match, you’re taking charge of many different personalities. You’re part of the game, and I think that part of your job is trying to help the players and coaches.
      “If you can do this and be relaxed, then you’ll relax them, you can communicate together, and making decisions can be much easier.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Antonio Rudiger was helped to his feet by Mateu LahozCredit: BT Sport
      The defender was swiftly shown a yellow cardCredit: BT Sport
      Kevin De Bruyne has black eye after sickening clash with Antonio Rudiger More

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      Thomas Tuchel to sign new Chelsea contract next week until 2023 with extension option and already set out transfer plans

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      THOMAS TUCHEL is set to sign a new Chelsea contract next week fresh off the back of his Champions League triumph. The Blues beat Premier League champions and heavy favourites Manchester City in Porto on Saturday night.
      Thomas Tuchel has earned himself a new contract at Chelsea after winning the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      But it was a goal from Kai Havertz which sealed the win and brought the Big Ears back to West London.
      According to the Guardian, Chelsea plan to give the German a new two-year contract with an option for a further year.
      And Tuchel is already planning the next steps in the transfer market.
      Reputable Italian Journalist Fabrizio Romano added: “Thomas Tuchel will meet Chelsea board in the next days to sign a new contract, confirmed.
      “Just a matter of time. He’s already planning for new signings together with the club.”
      Tuchel joined the club back in January on an 18-month deal, replacing club legend Frank Lampard.
      And the 47-year-old met his boss Roman Abramovich for the first time yesterday.
      He said: “I am not even 100 per cent sure maybe I have already a new contract now.
      Thomas Tuchel will meet Chelsea board in the next days to sign a new contract, confirmed. Just a matter of time. He’s already planning for new signings together with the club. 🔵 #CFCThe agreement will be completed until June 2023 + option for one more season. @jacobsteinberg— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2021

      Thomas Tuchel met his boss for the first time after gifting him another Champions League trophyCredit: GETTY IMAGES
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      “My manager said something about it. Let’s check this first.
      “I spoke to the owner right now on the pitch (Roman Abramovich). It was the best moment for the first meeting.
      “It can only get worse! We will speak tomorrow. We will speak later.
      “I will stay hungry for the next title. My desire is for more victories and to grow as a coach.
      “It would be nice to meet him a bit closer. We are in contact. Now it’s nice to meet him.”

      And Tuchel is already thinking about the next title and demands to be a part of it.
      He continued: “It’s about the next one. It is the time to celebrate for a few days and to let it sink in. Nobody wants to rest.
      “I want the next one and I want the next success and the next title. I want to be a part of it and I demand to be a part of it. Make no mistake.
      “It’s a huge experience and a huge success. We all will profit from that experience.
      “We will use it to stay hungry and to grow and evolve. It’s a huge step to arrive in the final and an even bigger one to fight your way through. 
      “Man City was a strong opponent. We knew it was a top-level performance. We needed a strong bond today to win this match.”

      Chelsea boss Tuchel meets Abramovich for first time after Champions League win and admits it ‘can only get worse’ More

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      Kevin De Bruyne huge doubt for Euro 2020 after suffering TWO broken bones in face after grim Rudiger clash for Man City

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      MANCHESTER CITY star Kevin De Bruyne suffered a fractured nose and eye socket in his team’s Champions League final defeat to Chelsea.It is unconfirmed whether the injury will rule the Belgian midfielder out of Euro 2020.
      Kevin De Bruyne is in tears as he’s forced out of the Champions League finalCredit: AP
      The 29-year-old has suffered two broken bones in his faceCredit: AP
      Hi guys just got back from the hospital. My diagnosis is Acute nose bone fracture and left orbital fracture. I feel okay now. Still disappointed about yesterday obviously but we will be back— Kevin De Bruyne (@DeBruyneKev) May 30, 2021

      The 29-year-old suffered the nasty injury when he was blocked off by Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, with the score 1-0 to Thomas Tuchel’s side.
      Both teams and spectators became concerned when De Bruyne didn’t get to his feet straight away, appearing to be in some discomfort.
      City’s medical team dashed on and his team-mate Kyle Walker remained kneeling by the injured star’s side while he was receiving treatment.
      The Belgium international thankfully made it to his feet but was in tears as he knew his night – and possibly his summer – was over.
      He initially began icing the injury but was soon rushed to hospital before the match was over as the swelling on his face had become severe.
      De Bruyne confirmed the extent of the injury this morning on Twitter, writing: “My diagnosis is Acute nose bone fracture and left orbital fracture. I feel okay now.
      “Still disappointed about yesterday obviously but we will be back.”
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      De Bruyne is now a doubt for the Euros, which starts in less than two weeks.
      Belgium’s first game of the tournament is against Russia on June 12.
      The talented midfielder should still be able to train and keep fit in the hope his facial injuries can be protected by wearing a mask.
      It is common for footballers to play in protective masks and much will depend on the severity of De Bruyne’s breaks.
      Manager Roberto Martinez may decide to keep the player in his 26-man squad as Belgium are expected to go far in the tournament.
      The Spanish coach has until Tuesday to decide whether to keep the City star involved.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More

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      Man Utd legend Patrice Evra mocks City after Champions League loss to Chelsea with hilarious Bobby Charlton Photoshop

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      PATRICE EVRA enlisted the help of Bobby Charlton to tease Manchester City following their Champions League defeat.The Manchester United heroes featured in a meme posted online by the Frenchman.
      Patrice Evra enjoyed getting on over Manchester City in his playing daysCredit: AFP

      It showed Charlton looking at the European Cup he won in 1968 with Evra’s face Photoshopped onto a team-mate.
      The caption read: “Sir Bobby can you check for City’s name again?
      “Nope, still not here Pat…”
      Evra, 40, won the 2008 trophy with a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea – United’s third Champions League crown.
      It was 83-year-old Charlton who led the club to their first 40 years earlier, beating Benfica 4-1 in the Wembley final.
      And Evra captioned the post: “I need it to ask Sir Bobby to check again!!! Good night everyone.”
      Manchester City failed to lift their maiden Champions League crown on Saturday after a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.
      Kai Havertz scored in the first half to earn the Blues’ second title.
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      Evra’s followers lapped up the Instagram post, with rival supporters taking the joke in good humour.
      City fan and comedian Jason Manford joked: “Blocked and reported!”
      Rob added: “For all the City fans who cheered a goalkeeper penalty miss. Ederson should stay in his box!”
      Another remarked: “Manchester is blue they said!”
      But one rival hit back: “United couldn’t even win Europa.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Patrice Evra eats cooked chicken in bizarre ‘upgrade’ to infamous video of Man Utd legend licking raw meat More