Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has warned that this season may be one of the more difficult campaigns in which to finish in the Premier League's top four. 

Following a disastrous campaign last season, which saw Jose Mourinho sacked midway through, the Blues have no European football to enjoy this term.




New boss Antonio Conte is looking to drive Chelsea as high as possible, with a return to the Champions League widely seen as the main target at Stamford Bridge.

But Nevin feels with Arsenal in form, Liverpool flying, Manchester City majestic and Manchester United having strengthened, finishing in the top four is a difficult ask for any side.
 


And he feels Chelsea must focus on matching their rivals' work rate and then hoping their quality can win the day.

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"Looking round the league it is the teams that are willing and able to play at a high tempo that are not only doing well but are generally causing us problems", Nevin wrote in his column on Chelsea's official site.

"Liverpool were at our backline right from the first minute and didn’t let up until they had a two goal lead. Arsenal’s intensity was impressive though to be honest, basic errors made it easier for them to play with the confidence they showed.

"More generally and most impressively so far, Manchester City have shown everyone a clean pair of heels from the start.

"Again they are a high-tempo side that also has talent to match the work-rate.

"It is simple: if you work as hard as the opposition and you have more ability, 99 per cent of the time you will win."

Nevin thinks that with the top teams all going at full tilt, finishing in the top four this term could be the most difficult it has been for some time.

"This could be the most difficult season for a while to gain a top-four finish in the Premier League", he explained.

"Even Manchester’s red team have embraced the fact you can’t have a Ferrari team without them having top-quality engines in this particular race.

"Wayne Rooney could join Yaya Toure among those who may only be impact replacements in this Formula 1 of a season."

Chelsea are currently enduring a tough spell, without a win in their last three league games, during which the run also included defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal, two top four rivals.