I was at a fan event in Dubai when Thomas landed on Friday evening, the day before the Club World Cup final. I had been asked if he was going to make it, and although I knew he was coming, he still had to do a test! If that had been positive the whole thing would have been even more complicated. I know how social media works, there would have been a big story if I said he was coming, but he could have still had to isolate. Luckily everything was okay!

Everybody got a big boost from Thomas arriving. It was really nice to have him there for the final. His presence was important. He was in contact every day with everybody online, but it’s not the same. Thomas was a part of the team that won the Champions League. You want to be there when these games are being played, and not watch it on TV, so I’m glad he could enjoy it with the team.

Decision time

When the game is approaching you can feel the expectation and the pressure rise. You need to prepare, make your choices for the line-up and how you’re going to approach the game.

There are always difficult decisions to be made. It’s hard, but that’s life at a top club. Perhaps the biggest concerned who would play in goal.

Edou arrived on the day of the semi-final, and at that time it wouldn’t have been right to put him in. He hadn’t trained with the team. Kepa had been brilliant deputising for him in every game, and everybody has confidence and trust in him. But for the final, the decision was for Edou. He was ready and fit to play and he has been the number one goalkeeper this season.

Watching with Chelsea royalty

I sat next to JT and Didier at the final. It was quite nice to live that emotion through the game with them, and to see how much they care. I don’t like sitting and watching games from the stands, I want to be on the pitch! I have got better at it now, but in big games you still feel a bit helpless.

I am a quiet sufferer! I don’t show much emotion, but I know me jumping around doesn’t change much. We were all part of the process preparing the game, so the players knew what was coming. Then you sit and wish everything goes right. It did!

The semi-final was not our best game. The players wanted to get it right so much that you could feel there was a bit of nervousness in the air. You need to find a way to win games, especially when things are not going so well, and you have some nerves. We found a way to deal with that in both games in Abu Dhabi and I liked the way we played. The team was strong enough to find a way through.

You expect some difficulties during a Club World Cup final, and we coped with it really well. Everybody contributed. This was the trophy the club missed 10 years ago, and it was great this time to be on the right side of things. The fact we had to fight hard for the trophy makes it even better.

A captain you can count on

Azpi has now won everything, and that is an amazing achievement. All the credit goes to him. When he arrived in 2012, he came first to compete for his spot. He had a long-term injury the year before, so he had had a difficult time before he came to us. He had to start from scratch fighting for his place.

He is one of those players who never disappoints you. He works hard, he does everything. He is an honest player on the pitch, and off the pitch he works hard. You know you can rely on him in any situation. That is the key to his success. No matter which manager was in charge, they all knew they could count on him, his attitude, and his qualities. Now he has the huge reward of lifting these trophies as a captain.