Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga expects to still be at Stamford Bridge next season.

The Spanish international believes that champions Liverpool and second-placed Manchester City can be challenged by Frank Lampard's side next season.

"Let's hope we are talking in a year's time and that we are candidates to challenge those two teams," he said. "We have a great squad here and we have a great manager. We can't deny the gap in points between us and the top two but I'm confident we can close that gap next season.

"We know we need to improve but it is a hope we all have. There's a confidence that it is possible."

Chelsea are next up against Watford.

"It's an important game," explains Kepa. "We're at home, playing against a team who have very important objectives of their own at the other end of the table, a team who are fighting just as hard as we will be to fulfil our aims and objectives.

"We feel strong mentally and very fit physically. There's a good spirit about how we've been playing and now we hope for an end of season that is positive and can be celebrated."