Mourinho proud of march to title
Jose Mourinho's pride at the way Chelsea stormed to the Premier League is clear, so too his desire to kick on next season.
Last weekend's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace secured the Blues' first Premier League crown in five years.
It was the third league title Mourinho has overseen during two spells at Stamford Bridge and one secured with record-breaking dominance.
Chelsea will end the season on top for a 274th successive day, underlining the dominance and consistency the Portuguese's side have shown this term.
"It pleases me, the title, pleases me the way we did it and the consistency of being there from day one to the last day," he said, ahead of welcoming Liverpool to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
"That is absolutely fantastic, to keep that stability, that strength keeping us there all the time.
"There were difficult periods, where we lost points, where we lost matches, periods where we lost players. We went through all these problems to go there from day one until the last day of the season.
"I am not counting the days, I am not trying to go for records. I just think for the boys to keep that stability also in their emotions - because it is very important to keep stable emotionally during the season - was fantastic.
"It was a title to remember, because of the title but also because of that stability from day one until the last day."
Such dominance means bookmakers have already made Chelsea favourite to win the title again next term, but Mourinho thinks it will be a tough ask to retain it.
"I think our rivals are very strong," the Portuguese said. "Next season they know what they want and we know what they want, too.
"But we also know what we want and they know what we want. I think it will again be a very important season."
Mourinho has yet to decide whether Diego Costa will feature. The striker's campaign has been punctuated by hamstring problems but wants to be involved against the Reds.
Oscar is out for the remainder of the season with a thigh injury and a kidney complaint will sideline Ramires.
Meanwhile, Liverpool vice-captain Jordan Henderson admits standing in a guard of honour for the newly-crowned champions should provide the players with all the motivation they need to be better next season.
Henderson admits it will not be a nice feeling having to applaud their rivals but there is a positive to be taken from it.
"You have to respect the team because they have been the best team over the season," said the England international.
"Of course it will be difficult doing that but you have to pay your respects.
"If that (guard of honour) does happen you have to remember the feeling that it is what we want to achieve.
"You have to bottle that and make sure next season we can have a really good go and use it as motivation and drive to push on."
There is the feeling Liverpool have blown their chance of finishing in the top four and boss Brendan Rodgers said: "When you look at games where you have dropped points it can be frustrating and disappointing but every team will do that, look across the season and think 'What if?'
"It is where you are at and we have the opportunities to gain the points
"We are four points behind and we have to do everything we can.
"It will not always be in the upward trajectory every single year. Certainly we will benefit from this season, however it finishes."
Source: PAR
