Steve Holland on talkSPORT: Forget the FA Cup, it’s been a positive season for Chelsea

Outgoing Chelsea assistant boss Steve Holland says it has been a hugely positive 2016/17 for the club - and missing out on the double should not detract from it.

The Blues clinched the Premier League title in Antonio Conte's first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

They were unable to add the FA Cup to their league success, though, losing 2-1 to London rivals Arsenal in Sunday’s final.

But Holland, who is leaving Chelsea to join the England set-up full-time, insists the Wembley disappointment should take nothing away from the team’s achievements this term.

Speaking exclusively to Jim White on talkSPORT, he said: "It is a case of trying to keep things in perspective.

"We were going for an English double in Antonio’s first season in the country and in the Premier League we had to win 30 games - we had to break a record - to be champions.

"Some people have said Tottenham 'bottled it' but Tottenham won 12 out of their last 13 matches. We were pushed right to the maximum.

"To win the FA Cup we had to beat Manchester United in the quarters, Tottenham in the semis and Arsenal in the final and we nearly made it, but not quite.

"Although there was a disappointment in the end, the reflection on the season can only be a positive one."