Inside wild celebrations on Chelsea coach after Europa League triumph
Olivier Giroud mocking his former club Arsenal and team-mates urging Callum Hudson-Odoi to sign a new contract were just some of the scenes inside a raucous Chelsea team bus after their Europa League final.
Captured on the phone of Italian international Jorginho, the coach was bouncing as stars chanted their way out of the ground in Baku following their 4-1 demolition of Premier League rivals Arsenal.
The celebrations were led by Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea’s captain on the night, as he ran down every member of the squad to congratulate them on their role in the triumph.
Olivier Giroud was at the centre of the celebrations on the Chelsea team coach on Wednesday
The striker mocked his former club Arsenal as Jorginho captured celebrations on his phone
The first thing Jorginho shows his 900,000 Instagram followers on his live video however, is Giroud carrying the trophy to the back of the bus.
Having scored the first goal to send Chelsea on their way against his former club, the French striker twists the knife by turning around to face his team-mates before declaring: ‘Thanks Arsenal!’
Meanwhile at the front of the bus, Azpilicueta continued with his roll-call, moving on to Hudson-Odoi.
Cesar Azpilicueta oversaw celebrations from the front of the coach, running through the side
Giving him a tongue-in-cheek introduction, the Spaniard said: ‘He wants a new contract, he’s a nice player.’ Others on the bus then chimed him urging him to ‘sign’ a new deal.
The players, the majority of who had changed back into their suits for the journey, then began serenading a number of players, including Davide Zappacosta, club captain Gary Cahill and Andreas Christensen.
They were a little less complimentary when it came to No 28, as the host was forced to hand over the mic to a team-mate. David Luiz couldn’t contain his laughter as the compere was roundly booed.
The hugely popular Rob Green was given a huge ovation by his team-mates on the coach
One of the biggest receptions on board, though, was granted to Rob Green. The veteran goalkeeper, who only made his first appearance for the club in the post-season friendly against New York Revolution earlier this month, was yanked out of his seat as players joined him in the isle.
The former England goalkeeper is a popular figure within the club and he went full kit during the celebrations despite his absence on the pitch to invoke memories of another force inside the Blues changing room.
Coming to the younger end of the squad, Azpilicueta decided to have a bit of fun with those teenagers without shirt numbers. Youth goalkeeper Jamie Cumming, midfielder Conor Gallagher and George McEachran were each given triple digits, with Gallagher labelled ‘Beckham’ for his long flowing blonde hair.
Eden Hazard chilled up the back during the celebrations, while Conor Gallagher was mocked
Eden Hazard was sat up the back of the bus, soaking up the celebrations with his team-mates, and for quite possibly the last time too.
He is expected to confirm a move to Real Madrid in the coming days, but David Luiz believes that, in Hudson-Odoi, Chelsea have a ready-made replacement.
‘We have many (who could replace Hazard). Callum (Hudson-Odoi) is great,’ said the Brazilian after the game in Baku.
‘Callum has known this club since he was young and he has the talents to one day try to be like Eden.
‘It is a new story for Callum. It didn’t start so well because of the injury but it is time for him to improve in other sides (of his game).’