Chelsea defender David Luiz admits they're struggling to handle their top four battle.

The Blues are sixth ahead of the midweek Premier League fixtures, which see them face third-placed Tottenham on Wednesday night in a match which is crucial to their bid to return to the Champions League and to the future of manager Maurizio Sarri, just seven months into his reign as head coach.

Luiz said: "Chelsea is a team which should be fighting for the Premier League and now we are seeing it is a bit far, so it is not the same mentality.

"It is up to us to pass this step."

On a personal level, Luiz adds: "It's one of the best seasons I've had individually, but, for me, this doesn't count because I want my team to win.

"It's better that my team wins 5-4 and it's better that everyone talks bad about me but my team is winning than I'm doing a great job and we're still not winning."