"Chelsea always are a dangerous team but I don't think they will be in the race for the title by the end of this season," he told the Daily Mail. "The exit of Jose Mourinho and the injuries have damaged them too much to recover. When we played them we were greatly superior and I think that is the way it will be this season.
"But I do have a doubt about them. What I don't know is if they are prepared to cope with the pressure that will come during their worst moments of the season. That's what we all have to deal with at some stage. It's hard and their players are very young. We'll see what happens.
"During the first part of the season we were struggling ourselves with injuries and suspensions but I think we are arriving at our perfect point now.
"This is a winning club and we are obliged to win titles. That makes me very motivated and I am sure that we will do it."
