Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has said that he expects his side to challenge for the Premier League title this season.
The Blues only managed a disappointing 10th-place finish as defending champions last term, with Jose Mourinho overseeing nine defeats in the opening 16 matches before Guus Hiddink steadied the ship.
Now-Manchester United boss Mourinho suggested earlier this week that his title rivals were afraid to publicly declare themselves as contenders, but Conte is hoping that his side will be in the mix.
Asked whether he feared backing Chelsea for the title, Conte told reporters: "No. I must be honest I think that other things scare me, not to win or lose in football.
"I think that in this league it's very tough, and I think that at the moment six, seven, eight teams can fight to win the title. And I'm sure Chelsea is a good team and we must work very hard to be in the six, seven teams that fight for the title."
Chelsea will begin their Premier League campaign at home to West Ham United on Monday night.
Barney Corkhill
