Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has revealed that he expects a "very tough" season ahead as the club looks to win its first Premier League title in four years.
The Blues are currently in third place in the table following Sunday's 3-1 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Despite Chelsea's positive start to the campaign, Ivanovic believes that the team need to collect as many points as possible even if they are not playing well.
"This year is going to be a very tough, a very difficult league," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying.
"Every team will have a bad period and a good period. The important thing is in the bad period to take the points, and to stay [near the top of the table]."
Chelsea continue their Premier League campaign on October 19 when they entertain Cardiff City at Stamford Bridge.