Chelsea interim coach Rafael Benitez concedes his team face a difficult task to finish in the top four of the English Premier League after a poor performance in a 2-0 loss at Manchester City.
Chelsea still retain an interest in both the Europa League and FA Cup, with a re-arranged fifth-round tie at Championship club Middlesbrough looming on Wednesday in the latter.
But with a top-four finish being required to ensure Chelsea secure a coveted place in next season’s Champions League, Benitez admitted his team wasted a glorious opportunity to move to within a point of second-placed City.
“Obviously we knew we were close to City and wanted to be even closer,” said Benitez. “But we didn’t do it.
“We have to try to carry on winning our games and hopefully, if City can lose some points, we will get closer. But, if not, we have to do our job because Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton are all close.
“We’re in a position where we have to fight for the top four.”
After defeat on Sunday, Chelsea only hold a one-point advantage over Tottenham Hotspur, who are scheduled to play their game in hand over Benitez’s side at West Ham United on Monday night.
Fifth-placed Arsenal only trail the reigning European champions by two points and even Everton, down in sixth place, are just seven points behind Chelsea with 11 games remaining in the league campaign.
More worrying still, Benitez admitted that he is facing a constant battle to juggle his resources to continue a fight on three different fronts.
“We knew it could be like this,” he said.
“We changed five players from (the last game against) Sparta Prague. If we have to change players, we will do it.
“It is a question of managing the squad and using fresh legs every game. We have to show our quality in all the competitions.
“I will tell you in one or two weeks whether tiredness is an issue. I think we still have the energy and players coming back from injury and the African Nations, and we can use them.”