Thomas Tuchel insist Chelsea cannot afford to lose focus on the race to secure a top four spot following a 1-0 win over Liverpool on Thursday.
Chelsea stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games since the German took over from Frank Lampard in January with the team drifting in ninth place.
Mason Mount’s first-half strike had separated the two teams after 90 minutes in a closely-fought Premier League encounter at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Tuchel isn’t carried away by the excitement of just moving into the top four as the 47-year-old has insisted that settling just for Champions League qualification is not an option.
“We didn’t think this way. We have already been in the top four after a win against Newcastle and we cannot lose the focus by looking at fixtures all the time, it does not help,” he said.
“I know it is boring for you but we have to prepare every match on the highest level as this league doesn’t allow you to drop one per cent.
The Blues have conceded only two goals in 10 games in all competitions under Tuchel and will hope to continue in their present run of form when they host Everton on Monday, followed by a trip to Leeds five days later.
“If we want to keep going we have to refocus for Everton (on Monday) and nothing else and the rest will take care of itself.
“There are still 11 games to go, still a long way, we are in the race. We closed the gap very quickly and it is big effort and now we are in the middle of the race and we need to keep going.
“But this league, the competition in the Champions League and FA Cup, drives us and it is not time to lay back and become too relaxed.
“I have a hungry group and I am hungry and we are not finished.”
