Ashley COLE believes the Premier League will be even harder to win for Chelsea this season after seeing the club's rivals spend heavily in the transfer market.
Chelsea finished nine points behind champions Manchester United last term and only beat Manchester City to second place on goal difference.
Both clubs have splashed out millions on new players this summer and have impressed so far with two consecutive wins, while Cole is also wary of how Liverpool have strengthened in the window.
Chelsea have spent more than £50million - allied to the £75m they paid for Fernando Torres and David Luiz in January - so far but the left-back fears they have their work cut out to regain the title and believes the competition is harder to play in than the Champions League.
"It was a great achievement to finish second last season," he said. "Okay, we didn't win it but it's a tough League now and everyone is getting better. Anyone beats anyone.
"We fell short but hopefully this season we won't drop as many points because we had a blip [between November and January] that killed us.
"Everyone talks about winning the Champions League but winning the Premier League is harder.
"The Champions League can depend on who you draw and you can get an easy road but you never get an easy game in this Premier League. It is unforgiving.
"I think the tide is changing. Everyone is getting better. You have teams like Tottenham and Manchester City always improving and under Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool seem very good. It shows what a manager can do and they seem like different players. This season is going to be even harder."
Chelsea take on Norwich tomorrow with new signings Juan Mata (above) and Oriol Romeu available, although they are set to be named on the bench. Keeper Petr Cech (knee) and Luiz (knee) are not match fit.
