Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois: 'Chelsea defence to thank for Premier League title win'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 09 May 2015

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believes that a progressive improvement in defence this season was key to the Blues winning the Premier League title.

Thibaut Courtois has put Chelsea's Premier League title success down to the strong defensive set-up under Jose Mourinho.

The Blues stormed to their first top-flight crown in five years by beating Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

Chelsea boast the best defensive record in the division, keeping 17 clean sheets and conceding just 27 goals.

Courtois, who has played a big part in the West London outfit's league joy, told Sky Sports News: "I think in the beginning of the season we were really offensive, and sometimes we were vulnerable on the counter-attack.

"I think the first three months, we had too many goals against us. If you want to be champions, it is important to defend well. You have to win a lot of games but know when to defend. You have to attack as a big team, and defend like a small team who plays against relegation.

"The last few games when we played against Arsenal, Crystal Palace and QPR, when we had difficulties to find those gaps to score, we still managed to win."

Chelsea face Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland in their final three games of the season.