Cesc Fabregas says he hopes that Chelsea can get back to competing for the Premier League title under Antonio Conte next season and admits he is not used to the idea of competing outside the Champions League.
Conte was announced as Chelsea's new first-team head coach on a three-year contract earlier this month.
The 46-year-old will take charge at Stamford Bridge at the conclusion of Italy's Euro 2016 campaign this summer and is tasked with reviving the club's fortunes after the most disappointing season of the Roman Abramovich era.
Chelsea lie ninth in the Premier League table less than a year after winning the title in convincing fashion, and have no hope of qualifying for the Champions League.
Fabregas is hoping that without the distraction of a European campaign, Conte can put the Blues back in the business of competing for major silverware next season.
"It is a disappointing season," Fabregas told sport1.de. "It will be the first time in years I won't play Champions League. We must come back stronger. I hope that we can compete for the title in England next year. In Antonio Conte there will be a new manager. He has proven that he can work successfully, especially at Juventus he had a strong time."
In Chelsea's absence it is Leicester City who have surged to the unlikeliest of Premier League title triumphs. Three more points would guarantee Claudio Ranieri's men the trophy, as would a Tottenham defeat at Stamford Bridge on Monday night, and Fabregas has said he wants to help their dream come true.
"I really hope that Leicester will win the Premier League because it's a miracle," the Spain international added. "It's fantastic that a success story like Leicester's is still possible in football with hard work. We will see if it's only brief.
"We want to attack [next season]. Liverpool can achieve something with [Jurgen] Klopp, and Manchester City will get a strong manager in Pep Guardiola."