Willian, Cahill, Azpilicueta say obvious things about this season, next season

Chelsea may have had a rather terrible season, but, in a way, it was also a remarkably consistent season.  Consistently not good, that is, but consistent nonetheless.  Compare that with the season prior, which gave us tremendous highs and tremendous lows, universal plaudits of our attacking verve and universal derision of our defensive nous, trophy wins and huge disappointments across various competitions and at various points of the campaign.

Variety in the narrative also gave us variety in interviews, with players having to respond to variable conditions and changing stimuli.  This season, in contrast, it's all been rather one-note.  Interviews with (non-retired) sports professionals tend to be banal affairs in the best of times; when everything's the same and nothing's changing, they quickly become exercises in repetition.

All year long, Chelsea players have talked about putting the bad results behind them, of playing hard and working through the issues, of being better in the future, and so on and so forth.  (Nothing tangible ever did change unfortunately.)  Now that the season's over, the themes have become more black-n-white.  There's nothing to be gained through diplomacy and shades of grey anymore.  Last season belongs in the dustbin of history, soon to be set on fire and shot into the Sun.

"We will have to start [next season] better than this season. If we can start the season very well then we can win titles."

-Willian; source: Chelsea FC

Generally, you have to finish pretty well, too, to win things, but let's take it one step at a time, shall we?

"The season was not good at all, it was obviously disappointing and it didn't go to plan for us, but all we can do now is go again next season."

‘We know it is unacceptable for a club like Chelsea to have a season like we have had this year. We take this bad taste in the mouth into next year because we don't want to have it again. We don't want to have a period of playing football matches for nothing. It is the worst feeling ever so we need to remember this time. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and we need to be stronger for this."

-Gary Cahill; source: Chelsea FC

Cahill with the most Nietzschean of all sports cliches there at the end.  Work it, make it, do it, makes us harder, better, stronger...

"We are a strong team and we have to come back to winning ways next season. [...]‘Now the focus is on the national teams and then all of us will have our heads on our club. We will come back and start a new era with a new manager with new methods and in the end we have to win, so we are all looking forward after a disappointing season to do a great season next time.'

-Cesar Azpilicueta; source: Chelsea FC

Onwards and upwards.