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The Blues defender has insisted that the team can build on last season's heroics to reach new heights in the upcoming campaign ahead of their kick-off against Manchester City

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic believes that the Blues can draw upon their remarkable end to last season, which saw them lift the FA Cup and Champions League, to kick-start the new campaign.

The Serbia international insists opportunities to win trophies will be there once again, and with success still fresh in the players' minds, there is no reason why Chelsea can't repeat the achievements of 2011-12.

Ivanovic realises that the club will have to continue to strive for improvement, however, to live up to the expectations set by what he thought was the greatest season in the club's history.

"Last season was incredible for us - I think it was probably the best season in the club's history because we won the Champions League for the first time and we won the FA Cup as well," he told the FA's official website.

"But this season we have opportunities again to win a lot of trophies and we still want to improve ourselves and try to win as many trophies as possible with this group. We're going to fight for every competition."

The team's first chance of silverware will come on Sunday when they take on Premier League champions Manchester City in the Community Shield at Villa Park.

"It's important not to put too much on the result of this game and that's why we have to go into it understanding this," Ivanovic continued.

"Last season we started very well, but after that we didn't play to the level expected of us. So we have to remember this is only one game but, for sure, we will fight for the trophy and both teams will want to win it because it can give you extra confidence for the start of the new season."

The Blues squad has undergone some major changes over the summer, with Didier Drogba leaving for China and the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar signed for considerable fees.

The 28-year-old accepts the reshuffle as an example of the changes that teams must go through in order to compete at a high level.

"There are some new players and it's normal in football that there are changes each year in the team," he added.

"We have to help the new players as early as possible to understand the league we are in and the way Chelsea play. With their individual qualities, I think they can help to improve our game also."