Chelsea skipper Gary Cahill has provided a frank assessment of his side’s hopes of qualifying for Europe, admitting a top four finish this season is unlikely.

Antonio Conte’s side won there first top flight game in three at the weekend as they beat struggling Southampton 3-2 at St. Marys.

An Olivier Giroud brace – his first Premier League goals for the club – either side of an Eden Hazard strike handed Chelsea a vital three points in their pursuit for a top four finish.

However, despite the victory, the Blues still remain seven points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth.

And with only five games to play before the end of the season, Cahill admits it will be difficult to catch their North London rivals.

“I don’t want to speak negatively, but it’s very difficult when the gap is what it is,” said Cahill of Chelsea’s Champions League qualification hopes.

“For top teams to drop that many points is unlikely, but we have to finish the season as strongly as we possibly can.

“Obviously we have got the [FA Cup] semi-final next week, as well as the mid-week game against Burnley who have been fantastic this season, so we know that’s going to be tough.

“It’s our responsibility to finish the season as strongly as we possibly can and we needed that win [against Southampton].”

Should Chelsea miss out on Champions League football, it would be the second time they have missed out on European football in three seasons.

The last time that happened, the Blues were crowned Premier League champions.

Cahill’s team-mate, Eden Hazard, believes no Champions League next year could be a blessing in disguise.

“When you play for Chelsea you want to be in the Champions League every year but last year we didn’t play in it and we won the title.” said the Belgium international.

“So sometimes a bad thing can create a good thing, but we will play [to try and qualify] for the Champions League, for sure.”