Gary Cahill says he's up for the battle of claiming a first team place at Chelsea.

Cahill appreciates he is not just going to walk into Andre Villas-Boas' team - and is likely to be on the bench for today's lunchtime kick-off away to Norwich.

He said: "In a weird way, that's exactly what I want. I'm a player who needs a goal, something to strive for. I don't want to be complacent and take my place in the team for granted. I want to go forward in my career and I hope that, by coming to Chelsea, I can turn into a world-class player like the other defenders they have here.

"That's the level I have to be at from now on. If not, I know I won't be playing. There's huge competition for places but I'm confident in my own ability and once I'm given my opportunity then it's down to me.

"If I don't play well and take that opportunity, there will be no one to blame but myself.

"I'm going from one extreme to the other. I'm moving from a team who have been under pressure all season to one which is on the front foot all the time."