Cesc Fabregas believes Chelsea will have it much tougher this season.

The Blues won the Premier League title last campaign, but that was without having the burden of European football, which they will of course have this upcoming season.

"Last season because of the schedule with no Champions League and we went out early in the League Cup we were all fit for most of the season. We had basically every week off," said Fabregas.

"The manager didn't have to make a lot of changes. I paid for it, Michy paid for it, Willian paid for it. So, we had to keep working and wait for our chance. We all did. I think we were all at the disposal of the manager when we were called upon.

"We did well, of course, and that gave him a lot of confidence and he's having a full pre-season working with the team.

"The manager has said himself it is a long season with lots of games and we will need all the players to be ready for whenever the manager needs us. I'm sure we will have more opportunities ahead of us."