Chelsea defender Gary Cahill says the club are back where they belong in the Champions League, after missing out on playing in the tournament last season.

It was the first season in 20 years that the Blues were not involved in a European competition, and Cahill hopes his side can build on the success of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the competition in order to become champions.

Cahill has had a miserable start to the season at Chelsea having been sent off on the opening day loss to Burnley and being banned ever since. But with the 3 game suspension over, and with him being eligible to play in the Champions League anyway, things are looking up for the skipper.

The former Bolton defender is one of a few men left in the squad that were involved in the clubs’ 2012 triumph of Europe, and hopes for more of the same success in the years to come.

“We feel we’re back where we belong, which is among some of the very best teams.” said Cahill.

“In the Champions League we are starting a path and it will be very important to start building something important.”

“To win a competition, you need to work very hard, to improve over years and to grow step by step and to become like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich… Juventus are the same now.”

“You don’t create a big strong team easily.”

With Cahill being suspended for the most part of the season so far, he admits he is itching to go for their Champions League opener.

“I feel like my season’s just starting. I’m itching to play.” said Cahill.

[Quotes sourced via Daily Mail]