Chelsea coach Avram Grant insists that his team are doing very well under difficult circumstances, and is optimistic about overhauling Arsenal and Manchester United in the long run.
With half the season gone, the Blues find themselves lying third on the league table, a full six points adrift of the league leaders Arsenal.
Grant also has an injury crisis to deal with, in that almost half a dozen of the first team players are rendered unavailable for the near future.
Nevertheless, he fancies his sideÂ’s chances of emerging with the Premiership trophy by the time all is said and done this season, as he predicts that the two frontrunners will come up against some major road bumps as well.
“So far this season we’ve always been behind them but we’re in a good position to catch them,” said the Israeli tactician.
“Maybe those two clubs will also have a hard time like us.
“I wouldn’t wish our problems on the other teams at the top, but I don’t think United and Arsenal will win for ever. They will have their own share of problems.
“So to be where we are despite all the injury problems we’ve had to cope with is good. Arsenal and Manchester know we can do good things. We’re six points down. If we continue at six or four, I’ll be happy.
“It is a big challenge for the team as this time last year, we only missed two players.
"Of course I want all the big players back from injury but even without them, the squad have continued to win.”
When pressed on whether the honeymoon period might be over two months after taking over from Jose Mourinho, Grant denied feeling any undue pressure.
“Most of the fans are more than happy with what’s happened since I took over,” he said. “They know our problems and that we’ve played better than before.”
