You were part of the 2012 Chelsea team that played against Corinthians at the Club World Cup, what do you remember of that tournament and what have you told the players about it?
"It is very difficult to be in this kind of tournament. I think after ten years, I realise how difficult it is. We lost the final against Corinthians and maybe I had a different feeling: it was my first season, we were in every competition, and maybe it looked easier than it was.
"In time, you realise how difficult it is [to reach the Club Wolrd Cup]. First of all, you have to qualify in the Premier League for the Champions League, and then go all the way and win it and be here.
"So we have to make the most of it starting with tomorrow's game. It is going to be very difficult but hopefully, that bad experience will us at the start of this tournament."
How motivated are you to win the only trophy you haven't won at Chelsea?
"I am very motivated. Losing that one in 2012 hurt a lot and this is the only competition the club hasn't won, not myself.
"To win it for the first time for the club is huge. We have to give everything we have on the pitch. It has great meaning for everybody, the fans, and we are representing Europe.
"We have to validate how difficult it is. All the journeys we've had to make it here, we have to give everything.
"First tomorrow and go step by step. It's going to be difficult but when you have one chance in this tournament as we have, you have to make the most of it and hopefully take it."
This is a chance to make Chelsea history, isn't it?
"Chelsea have never won this. We lost the final in 2012 and maybe sometimes in Europe, we have a different perception of what this tournament is. But it is very difficult to be here, are playing against champions from other continents, and it is so difficult to be the world champion.
"That is what we are aiming for. We have huge motivation and hopefully, we can win."
This is a chance for you to win something so many Chelsea legends haven't won and if you complete the set [of trophies] does that influence your future?
"My future is not the most important thing right now. My main target is to win the trophy and then we will see what happens with my future. I think everyone is trying to create their own history within the history of the club.
"Through the years, we've seen many, many world-class players, managers, and everybody at the club try to help increase the trophy cabinet of this club and we are part of it. When the time arrives, you want to make the most of it. It's true we have our own opportunity to create history and to win a trophy nobody has won at Chelsea. Hopefully, we are the ones to do it."
What do you think of Al Hilal, your opponents tomorrow?
"Al Hilal is a very dangerous team. We know they have a strong attacking force, players we've played against like (Matheus) Pereira and (Moussa) Marega of Porto in the Champions League.
"They have experience and normally try to be offensive. We have to be defensively solid to try to avoid their offense and make the most of it. The intensity of the Premier League, we have to bring here from the first minute. We have to be positive and try to create opportunities.
"It's a semi-final and, of course, we have to work hard to get into the final."
Have you spoken to the younger players about winning the Club World Cup?
"When we're young, we think we have more opportunities but with time you see how difficult it is not only to win trophies but to get into finals.
"Sometimes you can win, sometimes you can lose, but this kind of tournament is not like a normal cup you play every year. Every competition we enter we want to win and this is a rare one we've not played for ten years.
"Everyone is aware how difficult it is and that we can't miss the chance."
What has it been like working without Thomas Tuchel this week?
"We're disappointed Thomas can't be here. It is a situation we can't change and tomorrow, the same as in the FA Cup game against Plymouth, he won't be with us.
"We have to be ready for it. He'll be very important in everything, pre-game and during the game, and he'll have a direct connection with the staff and dressing room.
"We can't think further than this. It is what it is. We have to adapt and we have the technology to communicate straight away.
"Hopefully, we fill the gap even if it's impossible to fill it. Everyone will step up and do the best for him because it's an opportunity for everybody. For tomorrow's game, he would want to be with us."
What have Thiago Silva and Jorginho said about the importance of this tournament is in South America?
"We could see images of Palmeiras but tomorrow's opponents are not Palmeiras so we have to go step by step. We saw what it meant for the people of Brazil; we have experience of Japan in 2012 against Corinthians.
"Football is how they live, it's huge. For us, it is huge as well. It doesn't mean that because we didn't have fans when we left the airport doesn't mean it's not important. It's a huge opportunity for everyone as a club and our fans. We'll do everything we can to win the trophy for them."
How much has Kepa improved under Thomas Tuchel?
"The first season he did very well. It's not easy to become the world's most expensive goalkeeper and he went through tough moments. Since Thomas arrived, he gave him confidence, gave him games, he started to be really important for the team.
"The attitude he has had has been amazing towards Edou (Mendy), Marcus (Bettinelli) and Hilario, the goalkeeping coach. We have a fantastic group of goalkeepers and we've seen how important they are for the team.
"Whoever plays, plays a huge part. We are very lucky to have two goalkeepers like Edou – a champion of Africa which is amazing for him and his country – and to have Kepa here as well.
"I see only the work Kepa has been doing in every training session even if he knew he wasn't going to play. He has always been ready for the team and we have to enjoy what the situation is with our goalkeepers and have them with us."
You have such a strong connection with Chelsea, do you want to stay beyond the summer?
"I'm not going to speak about my future. We are one day before the semi-final of the tournament. Of course, I arrived in the summer of 2012 and I didn't have kids. My kids were born in London and you know how I feel about Chelsea. But I am not going to comment on my future."
What memories do you have of losing the Club World Cup in 2012?
"It was really hard to take that defeat. When you arrive in a final you want to win and maybe at the time we realised how difficult it was to get there, maybe the circumstances and feelings we had around meant we felt it different and that made the difference.
"Corinthians may have prepared the game differently and sometimes small details made the difference. We were not at our best that day and, of course, it hurt a lot."
The Premier League is the strongest league in the world, so should be favourites to win this tournament?
"Let's start with tomorrow. We know that in a tournament like this, it is really quick. We have the semi-final tomorrow and if we want to win the trophy we have to win the semi-final and the final. Coming from the Premier League, we want to try to impose our game."
"Tomorrow is going to be a tough game and we have to show our strengths from the first minute. Let's see if we are able to do that because it's not going to be an easy game."
