Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic is adamant they're a better team than last season.

It was around this time last year Chelsea endured a mid-season slump that ultimately cost them the title.

Ivanovic, who looks set to keep his place for tomorrow's Champions League game at Genk, said: "We're stronger than last year.

"The only thing you can do is keep going and working hard, to do your proper job, to do proper things on the pitch.

"We are ready to prepare for the game tomorrow. This is a very important game for us."