With Newcastle being Chelsea’s next visitors to The Bridge, Gronkjaer admits that Sir Bobby Robson’s side – along with Leeds – are Chelsea’s main rivals for the fourth Champion’s League spot.
Gronkjaer stated: “I don't think it is realistic to talk about us being champions of
the Premiership.
“Of course, if we have a great run and some of the other teams have a bad period then everything is possible, but we are not going to be the favourites.
“Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are the favourites and then there are maybe six teams who can fight for fourth spot.
“Newcastle did fantastically well last season, but we just have to try to improve on last season, score more goals, concede fewer and win more points, and of course try to play some fantastic football for the fans.
“Stamford Bridge should be a place where it is impossible for us to lose. The big goal for us must be to finish in the top four and get into the Champions League.”
Plagued by injuries last season, a fully fit Gronkjaer is now hoping to play a more regular role in Chelsea’s starting line-up.
“I am happy here and I have never regretted coming to England,” the Danish international told Chelsea's official magazine.
“I just feel that I've been a bit unlucky here at Chelsea with injuries. But now I'm completely fit and I'm going to make it difficult for the manager not to select me.”
With Ranieri signing Enrique De Lucas this summer - bolstering his options in midfield - it is now up to Jesper to prove his value and importance in a very competitive side.
“I just have to show that I am better than him!” added Gronkjaer.
“We're not going to be bad friends about that, it just means there is better competition in training. It's not good if everyone knows that they are playing every week.”
Having scored in midweek at Blackburn, Jesper recounted afterwards just how important the victory was for team spirit and how important it was for him, personally, to score.
“Goalscoring is one thing I have to improve a lot and I have been working on it in training,” admitted Gronkjaer, with just one shot on target in his 11 starts last season.
“One of my targets for this season was to score some goals.”
With Gronkjaer finding form and now building in his self belief and confidence, let’s hope he continues to show his obvious class that can upset so many defences!