Chelsea defenders should have been nominated for Player of the Year award, says Blues assistant coach Steve Holland

Chelsea's miserly defensive quartet can prove the bedrock of further Champions League success, according to Steve Holland.

Assistant coach Holland expressed surprise none of Chelsea's regimented back-four made the shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award.

Playmaking fulcrum Eden Hazard is Chelsea's sole contender to win acclaim from his fellow professionals, and Holland admits he thought the likes of John Terry and Gary Cahill were unlucky to miss out.

Full-backs Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic have completed Chelsea's regular back-four this term, with the Blues boasting the Barclays Premier League's meanest defensive record.

Jose Mourinho's men take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday night, with his assistant Holland admitting solidity will once again be crucial to the Blues' chances.

"The defence has consistently performed at a very high level this year, which is not just an opinion, it's reflected in the fact we do have the best defensive record in the Premier League," said Holland.

"And those four players have in particular, and of course with the goalkeeper, they have contributed massively to that.

"They've appeared in a large block of the games.

"Maybe there is a bias towards the attacking players in awards, because they are the players that everybody likes to see and they are the headline takers with their match-winning moments.

"I think football is about all elements of the game."

Chelsea could still pull off a remarkable double, remaining in the running for both Premier League and Champions League honours in Mourinho's first season back at Stamford Bridge.

Holland said the Portuguese boss' vast experience of top-level success can give Chelsea the edge over both domestic and European rivals as the campaign hits the business end.

"He's constantly on to the players about the importance of performance in winning, looking at different ways to motivate individuals and the group for every match," said Holland, admitting Chelsea must now exploit their squad depth to land silverware.

"This next period is crucial and we will need everybody in our group, it's important that the players understand that.

"We won't get through this process with 11 or 12 players, it is a group of games where we will need everybody and everybody needs to accept and understand that, and give everything when their opportunity arises.

"He's just been his normal, upbeat self.

"He is a very experienced manager in these situations; he knows how to handle himself.

"As the leader you're aware that the players are always looking at you to deal with things, how you are and how you're dealing with things.

"This is a situation he's had vast experience at, given the success he's had in the different countries that he's worked in."