Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has revealed why he believes the Blues have made such an inconsistent start to this season’s Premier League campaign.

Chelsea won the league last season with ease, topping the table by 7 points and winning 30 of their 38 matches.

But things have been much different so far this season, with the Blues having already found themselves 9 points off the leaders Manchester City.

Drogba, who won four Premier League titles and the Champions League at Stamford Bridge, says that the reason for Chelsea’s poor consistency so far this season is down to them competing in Europe.

“What’s happening now is normal,” Drogba told French radio station RMC. “Two years ago, they were on the brink of relegation.

“Last year, with one match a week, everything went well. The coach came in with drastic methods and the club became champions again.

“But most of the players have never been further than a Champions League quarter-final or semi-final for a while.

“You have to get used to matches every three days again, get used to the demand for results, which is permanent, to the intensity.

Chelsea’s next game is a trip to the Hawthorns to take on West Brom.