Frank Sinclair believes that Chelsea will be in the thick of the Premier League title race and have a stronger squad now than was the case last season.
Antonio Conte led the Blues to the title last term, against expectations, and now Chelsea have Champions League football to contend with as well as defending their Premier League crown.
The Blues have been written off by some critics, who feel the title will be fought out between the two Manchester clubs, and such a view is something Sinclair cannot understand.
He accepts that Chelsea will find it difficult to cope with the Champions League as well as the Premier League, however Sinclair thinks the Blues can deal with the schedule as they have a stronger squad than last term.
"I couldn't get my head around the last couple of weeks with so-called experts of the game have said it's going to be a title race between the two Manchester clubs", Sinclair said on Chelsea TV.
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"I'm looking at it thinking hang on, we won the league quite comfortably last year.
"I believe we've got a better squad than we had last season with strength in depth.
“Obviously playing Champions League games and Premier League games does hinder you a bit, but I think this squad's equipped for it and I believe we will be up there in the race for the title."
Conte's men thrashed Stoke City 4-0 in an away league fixture on Saturday and are next in Champions League action in Spain in midweek, against Atletico Madrid.
