André Santos admitted that Chelsea are going through a tough period, but he remains confident that the team can finish the season strong.

André Santos admitted Chelsea are in a "difficult phase," but the Brazilian midfielder remains confident the team can finish the season strong and secure Champions League qualification. The 21-year-old partnered with Moises Caicedo in midfield, but Manchester City scored three goals in the second half, ultimately resulting in their third consecutive Premier League defeat.

Although Andre Santos acknowledged that the opponent's overall strength had a significant impact on the course of the game, he still believes that Chelsea had the opportunity to perform better.

André Santos said: "Every game in the Premier League is very difficult, and Manchester City is a top team with top players. But we played well at 0-0, and conceding the first goal was frustrating."

“We understand the fans’ disappointment, and we are just as frustrated ourselves. When people think of Chelsea, they naturally think of victory, but we haven’t achieved that yet. It’s a tough phase, but we must continue to fight and move forward.”

The race for the top spots in the Premier League remains fierce, with 18 points still up for grabs. As the season nears its end, nothing is certain. André Santos says he and his teammates remain optimistic, believing the team is capable of securing a top-five finish and qualifying for next season's Champions League.

André Santos added: "Of course, we believe we can qualify for the Champions League. That's what motivates us to train hard every day to get into the top ranks and compete in the Champions League next season. Right now, we must train even harder this week to recover from this defeat and try to win the next game."

Image source: Internet/Chelsea official website