Robert Sanchez insists Chelsea CAN qualify for the Champions League this season

Robert Sanchez believes Champions League qualification this season is a genuine target for Chelsea.

Goalkeeper Sanchez joined a team that finished 12th and then suffered a disappointing start to this season.

But, a surprise loss to Brentford aside, recent weeks have suggested Chelsea are on the up, with five wins and two draws – against title chasers Arsenal and Manchester City – also among their last eight results.

Chelsea’s thrilling 4-4 draw against City on Sunday left them 10th and ten points off the top four.

But Sanchez sees no reason why their positive recent trend cannot continue all the way to Chelsea sealing a return to Europe’s top club competition.

He said: ‘We only take it game-by-game but we want to do our best possible. We hope to get in Europe or the Champions League again.

‘I think so [it is possible to qualify for the Champions League], if we keep improving in every game and getting points in every game then I think it is possible.

‘It is a big ask but we’ve got spirit, confidence, belief and the quality we have that we can get there.’

Chelsea’s form against the bigger side is fuelling the belief about what Mauricio Pochettino’s new-look squad could be capable of and proving their ability to compete with the best.

They have also drawn against Liverpool and beaten Tottenham this season.

Sanchez said: ‘We are improving more and more. In some games we were a bit unlucky but, yes, I think it is true that in these types of games sometimes you feel inside a bit more of the energy against big teams but I think the boys are doing great in every game.’

Leading Chelsea is Pochettino who was as fired up as anyone during the dramatic draw against City.

After Cole Palmer’s injury-time equaliser Chelsea’s head coach was not