Petr Cech insists Chelsea's season will be regarded a success whether or not they can add to the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet in May.
Cech will now have to watch from the sidelines as Chelsea’s hopes in the Premier League and Champions League are decided over the next week.
They play Liverpool on Sunday knowing defeat will end their chances of winning the title and take on Atletico three days later with the semi-final delicately poised at 0-0.
But even if Chelsea fail to claim any silverware, Cech believes the club have made strides over the last 12 months.
He said: “We’re not the favourites for the title. If we don’t win it, we will be disappointed but it was not the target. As the manager said, this is a process of him building the team he wants.
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“We have made progress even if there are no trophies at the end to show for it. We have been looking for stability and in the last few seasons we have had a lot of changes of manager.
“It’s really important to start with one manager and end it with the same one. Now next season we can make an even bigger step forward.
“Whatever happens this season it will be even better next season because of the confidence we have gained and we will be in an even better position to fulfil our targets.”
