Robert Sanchez insists Chelsea CAN qualify for the Champions League this season… urging his side has the ‘spirit, belief and quality’ to finish in the top four after drawing 4-4 with Man City

• Chelsea held Manchester City to a draw in a superb eight-goal thriller on Sunday 
• Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is adamant his side can finish in the top four
• Why we should get excited about Cole Palmer – Listen here to It’s All Coming Up

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.

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

Mauricio Pochettino’s side held Manchester City to a dramatic 4-4 draw on Sunday afternoon

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.’

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The Spanish keeper is adamant his side can kick on and challenge for the top four this season

Cole Palmer kept his cool from the penalty spot to earn Chelsea a late point deep in added time

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 content to just settle for a point and reacted furiously when referee Anthony Taylor blew his final whistle cutting short one final attack for the home side.

Asked if Pochettino epitomises the growing spirit at Chelsea which is helping the team reconnect with their supporters, Sanchez added: ‘Exactly, that’s what we are trying to build we want to get back to the top. He had that adrenaline, that’s what we are here for, it’s football.

‘I think the fans can see it. It is what we talk about in the dressing room that we are building that confidence and with that comes spirit as well. We are just fighting and we feel we can win any game.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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