Cesar Azpilicueta admits Chelsea are 'really far' from the club's targets after Forest draw

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta admitted the club are ‘really far’ from their targets for the season after a draw at Nottingham Forest saw the Blues fall seven points off the pace in the race for qualification for Champions League.

Graham Potter’s side took a first-half lead at the City Ground through Raheem Sterling but failed to take advantage in the second half before Serge Aurier equalized for the hosts.

The draw leaves Chelsea eighth in the Premier League table, 18 points behind leaders Arsenal and seven adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United.

Cesar Azpilicueta admits Chelsea are ‘really far’ from their pre-season targets

Azpilicueta admitted the Blues have been guilty of dropping too many points this season, with the club facing an uphill battle to secure Champions League qualification.

‘Every point is important and of course today we lost by two points,’ said Azpilicueta. That’s what’s clear and since the beginning of the season we’ve lost a lot and now we’re really far from where we want to be.

‘Every game we don’t win is an opportunity we don’t miss, but this is the reality.

Serge Aurier’s second-half strike earned Nottingham Forest a 1-1 draw at Chelsea

‘When you see the table where we are and we need to have a very good second half of the season if we want to achieve Champions League qualification for next season. This is the reality we face and we need to stick together.

‘We know this is not the most pleasant time but in these difficult moments we need everyone together, to work hard to improve. To be humble, to see ourselves, to study ourselves and where we can do better.

‘We have a massive game against Manchester City at the Bridge but we need to start winning points.’

Chelsea have taken 15 points from Graham Potter’s first 10 Premier League games in charge

Chelsea host the reigning Premier League champions on Thursday hoping to end a run that has seen them pick up one win in seven league games, before traveling to the Etihad Stadium to face City in the third round of the FA Cup On Sunday.

The Blues then take on Fulham for the west London derby, with Potter’s side currently below their local rivals in the Premier League on goal difference.

Chelsea have picked up just 15 points from Potter’s first 10 league matches, despite winning their opening three games.

Chelsea find themselves in a battle for Champions League qualification as they are eighth