Former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell has predicted Chelsea will finish in the top four this season under Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea slumped to a 12th-place finish last season but Sidwell expects an instant improvement from his former club Chelsea this season.

“Chelsea will finish higher than sixth this season, I can’t see them being any worse than last season,” Sidwell told the Sky Bet Fan Hope Survey.

“[Last year] there were a lot of changes – managers, players. I am a little bit worried in terms of experienced players, a lot of players have gone out.

“There’s not a lot of activity with players coming in at the moment, especially on the more experienced side.

“I do, however, believe they’ll finish in a top four place. Mauricio Pochettino was a great addition. He’s a manager that’s worked with high profile players, players with egos.

“He’s a personal manager as well, that’s what’s needed, certainly with a lot of individuals within that dressing room.

“He’s going to galvanise that dressing room, that squad – he has a good pre-season to work with as well and he’ll hope to get off to a flying start.”