Thomas Tuchel believes the gap between his Chelsea side and Premier League standard bearers Liverpool and Manchester City is closing.
City and the Reds have won the last four league titles between them, often racing clear of the competition.
Chelsea have failed to mount a meaningful challenge since their last success in 2017, when Antonio Conte was at the helm.
Tuchel is now into his first full season at the helm and has the Blues sat top of the league with Liverpool and City in close proximity.
Chelsea have lost to the current champions but battled to a point against the Reds at Anfield.
The season is still in its infancy so the table only tells so much of a story but Tuchel is confident that his side are closer to their rivals than they have been recently.
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He said: "Maybe for the moment. It is only nine games in. We need to prove it.
"It is not enough to prove it for nine games, we need to prove it for the season. It will take all of us. It will take all of our courage, all of our effort, all of our discipline.
"It will simply take all of us. It’s like running a marathon. This league is extremely exhausting. We have different competitions.
"We are up for all competitions and the best outcome in all competitions. We are trying to close the gap.
"I have no problem in admitting that there was a gap in the last seasons and that Liverpool and City set the standards.
"They created a certain mentality with their managers together over the years.
"We try to close it, we are confident enough to say from the first day we want to close it.
"This is what drives us. We will work on it because it takes a lot to keep the momentum going."
Tuchel claimed the Champions League within months of arriving at Stamford Bridge and expectation is high this term.
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The addition of Romelu Lukaku is seen as key, although the Belgian has been out injured.
Chelsea have won their last three in the league including last week's 7-0 mauling of Norwich City, in which Mason Mount grabbed a hat-trick.
They head to St James' Park to take on a managerless Newcastle side on Saturday looking to retain top spot.
Tuchel said on their opponents: "They have a new energy in the city and the club, they decided to change the manager and this is what we have to deal with an overcome."
