Enzo Maresca claimed his Chelsea players have the status that deserves to play in the Champions League next season.
The Blues had their Champions League qualification hopes dented by a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle last weekend as they wrestle for a top-five finish in a tight finale to the Premier League season.
It ended a run of five consecutive wins across all competitions for Chelsea, keeping Maresca's side in fifth place and above Aston Villa on goal difference only as Newcastle leap-frogged Manchester City into third.