Gary Cahill lauded Chelsea's Premier League title triumph as the best way to silence the critics following a disappointing defence of their crown the previous season.
Chelsea secure Premier League title
The Blues finished 10th in 2015-16, having lifted the trophy under Jose Mourinho 12 months previously, but the arrival of Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge heralded a revival.
Friday's 1-0 win at West Brom — sealed with an 82nd-minute winner from substitute Michy Batshuayi — secured the club's fifth Premier League crown.
"There's opportunities you get that you want to grasp with both hands and you have to cherish them," Cahill told Sky Sports.
"We've been the best team in the league. We deserve it. We've worked hard. There's no better feeling. We have to cherish this.
WHAT A NIGHT! #ChelseaChampions pic.twitter.com/gOhrm4wXQ4
— CHAMPIONS! (@ChelseaFC) May 12, 2017
"People write you off at the start of the season. This is the only way to shut people up. You let other people do the talking for you.
"This is a special group of players, to show the character after last season, and for Michy to come on and get the goal and ultimately win us the title. We are champions. It's another one in the cabinet."