CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola believes Chelsea are playing at a “very high” level, adding: “I expect a similar game as we had against Arsenal not long ago.”

Cherries end their campaign at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, against a Chelsea side looking to clinch a spot in the Europa League.

It has been an inconsistent campaign for Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues, who are now in fine form, winning four league games on the spin.

And Iraola is under no illusions how tough the task will be, referring to his side’s recent 3-0 defeat to title-chasing Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

“For me, they are playing really, really well,” said Iraola.

“They are on a very good run. I think it is going to be a very difficult game.

“They are finishing very, very strong.

“They have very good individual threats.

“They have obviously players like Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson finishing the season.

“I think they’ve recovered a couple of injured players that give them more options also.

“I think it is going to be really difficult, because the level they are playing right now, for me, is very, very high.”

Asked specifically about the threat of Cole Palmer, who has netted 22 goals in the Premier League this season, Iraola added: “Sometimes you cannot only focus on Cole Palmer.

“We know that he is playing very well, making the numbers. He is a big threat.

“But all the players around him are also in a very good moment.

“I could say almost all their line-up, because they are all a threat and they are really dangerous with spaces and also have really good individual skill without spaces, playing between the lines.

“For me, we are playing against a team that is finishing very strong.

“Probably, with the teams that are fighting for the title, they are the ones finishing the season stronger.

“I expect a similar game as we had against Arsenal not long ago.

“We have to improve our level if we want to give them a game, because they are winning games quite easily I would say.”

He added: “Mauricio is a top manager. He has shown it not only this season, but in all his career.

“I think you can see, watching Chelsea, they are improving week-to-week.

“They are finishing very strong. They can even finish the season in fifth.

“Probably if they had more games, they would be fighting for the Champions League.

“I know the level they have and it’s going to be very difficult for us. This is something we have very clear.”

Victory for Cherries could seal a top-half finish, currently behind 10th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion on goal difference alone.

Iraola said: “I think we missed a big chance the other day against Brentford, to continue in this 10th position. Now we are 11th.

“We know we have a very difficult game, but also it is the same for a lot of teams that are around us.

“We are playing against teams that are in the top six or seven positions, so it is not going to be easy for anyone around us.”