John Obi Mikel believes he has responded to the pressure placed on his shoulders by Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
With Michael Essien facing a lengthy absence after suffering a serious knee injury, Mikel has been handed the midfield anchor role for the Blues and has responded in fine style.
His next challenge will come in Monday's Premier League trip to Everton, where Chelsea will be out to extend their astonishing 100 per cent away record in the league.
Their form on the road has kept them on the shoulders of league leaders Liverpool, as they have already suffered two defeats at Stamford Bridge and been held in four further matches.
Nigeria international Mikel is determined to repay Scolari's faith in him by helping the club to win some silverware this season.
"The coach said to me 'you are this team - when you don't play well, the team doesn't play well'," he said
"So I felt big, big pressure after that but it means I go out there to make sure the team plays well and wins.
"It puts pressure on me but good pressure because I think it shows he's pleased with me and thinks I can live up to the task.
"All I have to do is keep going and keep doing the right things and at the end of the season, I can look back and say 'I didn't disappoint him'.
"Football is all about belief and I think Scolari has belief in me."
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