N’Golo Kante has predicted Chelsea will finish in the top four ahead of a crucial Premier League clash with Manchester United.
Chelsea are in the driving seat in the race for a Champions League spot, sitting in fourth place in the table and six points clear of United.
Frank Lampard’s side were thrashed 4-0 on the opening day of the season in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford and Kante warned United, Chelsea were plotting a big win.
‘I believe we have the team to get what we want this season – to finish in the top four, get Champions League football next season and why not to win a title as well.
‘We have everything that we need in this team,’ he told the club website.
‘We are having an important time of the season because we are all fighting for the fourth position.
‘Man United were a bit behind but now they have closed the gap so it’s a big opportunity either for us to keep them behind or for them to close the gap more.
‘It’s an important game for both teams.
‘We all know that Man United at home is a very difficult game, especially after what happened in the first game but we don’t look at this.
‘We just look forward because we want to keep the gap and so that’s why we need to win, not to get revenge.’
Lampard has been set the challenge of qualifying for the Champions League despite being unable to make any signings until January due to a transfer ban.
But, Chelsea failed to bring in any new faces last month despite several requests from Lampard.
Kante, however, has no doubts his manager can guide the Blues into the top four.
He said: ‘He was here for a long time as a player and won many trophies but now he is back with the status as manager of Chelsea,’ Kante said of Lampard.
‘We know all about him as a player so when he speaks about my position as a midfielder, to go forward and get the balance in the team, you listen to him.
‘He has good ideas, he wants to play the young players and the older players together to get our target to be in the Champions League.
‘Frank knows how to bring the players to their best and we have time to get what we want from this season.’
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