Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic is aware that the Blues will have their work cut out for them in the new season.

The Blues had a successful year under Jose Mourinho last season, claiming the Premier League title and Capital One Cup, and Matic believes that will make the upcoming season even tougher as they will now be the hunted.

He told the club's official website: "Last season was good for us – we won the league and a cup so it is going to be very hard because every team wants to win against the champions.

"But we know that and that is why we work very hard now and we are ready for that.

"It is going to be more difficult but we are guilty [for that] because we were champions last year. We know what we can expect and we will be ready for everything."