Cesar Azpilicueta has revealed his demotion by Antonio Conte proves no-one at Chelsea is untouchable.
The Spain defender was dropped to the bench for the game against Swansea last Wednesday.
Before that 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge, Azpilicueta had not missed a single minute of Premier League action for nearly two years.
For the first time since a home loss to Bournemouth in December 2015, he was on the bench — ending a a run of 74 games and 6,660 minutes' action.
The 28-year-old, who has played every moment of the last two games against Newcastle and Atletico Madrid, said: “It was a nice run. I never thought about the amount of games I played in a row — all 90 minutes.
“But I would try to beat that mark, and I’m pleased for the number of games because I know it’s difficult.”
Speaking after Tuesday’s Champions League draw at home to Atletico, Azpilicueta said: “I want to play every game, but the manager makes the best decisions for the team. It was important we won (against Swansea).”
Accepting a rest was necessary ahead of the always-hectic Christmas and New Year fixtures, he said: “That’s what I mean. For that, we have the manager that sees the performance, the training.
“Sometimes he tries to make the best decision and, from that, all of us we have to go in the same direction.”
Azpilicueta added his voice to those of Conte and team-mate Eden Hazard, both of whom have insisted Chelsea have no fear about facing Paris Saint-Germain or Barcelona.
The Premier League champions are on course to get one of the heavyweights in next week’s last-16 draw, after the dropped points against Atletico meant they finished only second in Group C.
He added: “The teams you could face, even by finishing first, are difficult. But it’s true that being first you play the second-leg at home.
“Honestly, though, when you go into the last 16 of the Champions League, you have to face big, big teams and we have to show our level.”