The Blues boss suggested his players had rebuffed the doubters in their defeat to the Potters on Tuesday, insisting the side played well throughout the match.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says his players answered their critics despite being knocked out of the League Cup by Stoke City, going down 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out at the Britannia Stadium.
The Blues went behind to Jon Walters's strike but looked to have rescued matters when Loic Remy equalised in stoppage time and Stoke saw Phil Bardsley sent off.
However, the Potters' held on to take the tie to penalties,
prevailing 5-4 after Eden Hazard missed the crucial kick, but Mourinho defended his players after yet another defeat.
"What the players did tonight is face some people that write and speak, and said: 'You are stupid'," he told reporters.
"What some people write and say is really bad for the players. Maybe they think my players are like them when they were players. My players don't do that, they tried everything.
"If anyone saw the second half the other day, playing with 10 men the way they did, it's a lack of respect for the players."
Mourinho also insisted he was not downhearted despite being knocked out of the competition with the Blues now set for another tough test on Saturday when they take on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
"We played so well. This first half could finish the game at half-time. Then second half, goal, and they keep going," he explained. "I told TV last year we won here 2-0. We didn't play 25% of what we did today.
"A few months ago I won a few matches and I was champion. People were saying there are things more important than results," he added. "Now, people say results are the most important thing. It's a contradiction
"It's difficult. It's more difficult when you play bad and lose than play well and lose. We go with sadness but a positive feeling."
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