Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has admitted he is expecting a ‘brutally difficult season’ as the Blues look to win the Premier League.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are among the favourites for the title this season after their Champions League success last season.
Their chances are likely to be boosted by a summer of big spending, which looks set to bring Romelu Lukaku back to the club in a €100m plus deal as well as other big-name targets.
It means the pressure is on for Chelsea to compete at the top of the table this season, with Roman Abramovich expecting a title challenge, with the trophy last coming to Stamford Bridge in 2016.
That will be no easy feat, though, with the rest of the big sides in England, the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool all having strengthened this summer too.
That’s something Rudiger is very aware of and expects Chelsea to endure a tough year if they are to be champions.
“It will be another brutally difficult season,” he told Kicker.
“As the reigning Champions League winners, we naturally want to be at the top of the league right to the end.
“Many clubs have already strengthened or will do so over the next few weeks, while top clubs in other countries are struggling at the moment.
“I expect the Premier League to become even more dominant internationally in the next few years than it already is.”
