David Luiz admits Chelsea will have had a ‘s*** season’ if they finish empty-handed, but believes the Blues should be given credit for their efforts in what has been another marathon campaign.
Jose Mourinho’s side will not be running out in the Champions League final in Lisbon, after crashing out of the competition at the last-four stage following a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
Chelsea are also now widely considered outsiders for the Premier League crown approaching the final two games of 2013-14, with Liverpool leading the way in the race for the title and Manchester City boasting a game in hand.
Mourinho has talked all season about the evolution of the squad at Stamford Bridge, and although Luiz will be far from happy to end the term potless, the Samba star says the Blues can walk away with their heads held high after giving their all.
“Sometimes it is possible to win,” said the 27-year-old. “Like the season we won the Champions League was a s*** season until the end – and then we won two titles.
“You keep fighting in the league, because mathematically you can win. But it will be so difficult.
“You can say this is a s*** season when you don’t have trophies at a big club – that’s true.
“In the end you need to remember everyone here is their own man, and everyone here gave their best this season. Everyone here can make mistakes sometimes, and that is normal.
“But you give everything. It is not about a result that means you don’t have a trophy. It is if you didn’t play, you didn’t run, you didn’t give your best.
“We gave our best in many, many games. Like [against Atletico] – we gave our best. But sometimes it is possible to win, sometimes it is not.”
The word from the top at the Bridge this year was that sealing automatic Champions League qualification was the only mandate, with Luiz insisting the club will be in a better position to challenge for silverware next season.
“Next season we will have a plan, we will have many fantastic players and everyone will want to win trophies,” Luiz added.
“Because at this club it is normal, when you are sitting at home on the sofa and looking at the television, to see Chelsea fighting for trophies.”
Chelsea play Norwich City on Sunday.
